Indiana’s Curt Cignetti on Stephen Daley: ‘He’ll give it his best shot’

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 8: Stephen Daley #8 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates with fans after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 8, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images Indiana football hea

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What is the story about?

Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti gets Stephen Daley.

Cignetti has as good of an eye for talent as anyone in college football, having helped scout and develop the Hoosiers’ 2025 national championship roster over several seasons. Daley ended up being one of his best signings.

The Hoosiers added Daley through the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season after the latter spent the previous three seasons at Kent State, winning six games during that time. It took time for him to come into his own

at Indiana, playing a small role through the first few games of 2025, but when fellow lineman Kellan Wyatt went down with an injury against Michigan State, Daley was ready.

Daley emerged as one of the most disruptive players in college football, leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally with 19 tackles for loss despite that small role in the first few games. He was crucial to Indiana’s Big Ten Championship Game win over Ohio State, terrorizing Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin throughout the matchup.

That is, however, where his 2025 ended. An injury suffered in the ensuing celebration with fans held Daley out of the run through the College Football Playoff. It didn’t just keep him off the field for the Hoosiers either, it kept his name out of NFL Draft discussions this past spring.

So when the opportunity came for a fifth year following a district court ruling in Colorado, Daley’s chance came back. Now, back on Indiana’s roster, he has another chance to make a difference in college while showing NFL scouts what he’s made of.

And he’ll be giving it his best shot, just like he did as the player that drew Cignetti’s eye at Kent State and starred for Indiana in 2025.

“If it all works out and he can participate and help this football team, then his life could change,” Cignetti said in a press conference on Monday. “I know one thing about him, he’ll give it his best shot, he really will, and we’ll just see what happens.”