Indiana football’s defensive line play helped pave the way to a 16-0 record and a national championship in 2025. It could be even better in 2026.
Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, two key members of that 2025 group, have received additional seasons of eligibility following a district court ruling in Colorado. Both have rejoined the Hoosiers’ roster this week just in time for fall camp.
Indiana’s defensive line already retained both Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino while adding a pair of defensive ends
from Kansas State, Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor, this past offseason. Adding Daley and Wyatt to that already formidable group makes this line arguably the best in the country.
Daley, who stepped up after Wyatt suffered an injury against Michigan State last season, finished 2025 leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 19 with 5.5 sacks. Wyatt finished the 2025 season with 28 total tackles, 12 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks. Landino and Tucker finished with five and six sacks, respectively while Osunsanmi and Obiazor finished with four and two, respectively.
That’s not even counting Indiana’s sack leaders at linebacker. Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy, both returning this season, finished with seven and eight sacks, respectively.
It’s a stunning amount of returning production for arguably Indiana’s best unit from the 2025 season. The group that totaled seven sacks against Illinois, six in the first game against Oregon and five in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State is returning two of its top producers while adding two other strong additions.
The return of Daley and Wyatt bolsters Indiana’s depth at defensive end with the latter’s ability to kick out to linebacker giving defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, the reigning Broyles Award winner, more flexibility with play calling and design.
The pairing, defensive line and coordinator, is the stuff of nightmares for opposing play-callers. There’s plenty that could develop between the ruling and the two’s health as they both suffered injuries in 2025, but their return can only mean good things for this group.
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