With spring football approaching, we’re going position by position looking at Indiana’s roster.
IU’s defensive line was so loaded in 2025, the group withstood multiple season-ending injuries and didn’t miss a beat in the College Football Playoff.
The Hoosiers have plenty of turnover on the line for 2026, but it should be a strong group yet again, and with enough returning faces to be a recognizable bunch.
Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino are both back at defensive tackle and should form one of the better tandems in the Big Ten. Tucker recorded 12 tackles for loss last season and Landino posted six, both good outputs for interior defensive linemen.
The depth pieces behind them from last year, Hosea Wheeler and Dominique Ratcliff, are both gone. Tulsa transfer Joe Hjelle should step into that role, and perhaps some underclassmen like Kyler Garcia or Jhrevious Hall can earn playing time.
Indiana lost more on the edges with Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley, and Kellan Wyatt all leaving after last season. Daniel Ndukwe had to step up in place of Daley and Wyatt in the College Football Playoff and performed really well, so he should have a real shot at starting this year. But he’ll face competition from IU’s transfer additions, with three edge rushers joining the program. Tobi Osunsami and Chiddi Obiazor both came over from Kansas State, and Josh Burnham from Notre Dame. Osunsami recorded six TFLs and four sacks in just six games in 2025; Obiazor finished with 4.5 TFLs and two sacks, while Burnham put up six TFLs and three sacks.
Those battles will be interesting to watch play out in spring ball, and surely into fall camp as well. Buddha Williams, Pat Kuntz, Bryant Haines, and Curt Cignetti have plenty of options to work with.
Roster overview
Who’s gone:
- Mikail Kamara (out of eligibility)
- Stephen Daley (out of eligibility)
- Kellan Wyatt (out of eligibility)
- Dominique Ratcliff (out of eligibility)
- Andrew Turvy (out of eligibility)
- Hosea Wheeler (transfer — Baylor)
- William Depaepe (transfer — UMass)
- Andrew Depaepe (transfer — UMass)
- J’Mari Monette (transfer — Memphis)
Who’s returning:
- Tyrique Tucker (redshirt senior)
- Mario Landino (junior)
- Daniel Ndukwe (junior)
- Quentin Clark (redshirt sophomore)
- Tyrone Burrus Jr. (redshirt freshman)
- Kyler Garcia (redshirt freshman)
- Triston Abram (redshirt freshman)
- Jhrevious Hall (redshirt freshman)
- Keishaun Calhoun (redshirt freshman)
Who’s joining:
- Joe Hjelle (transfer — Tulsa; redshirt senior)
- Tobi Osunsami (transfer — Kansas State; redshirt senior)
- Josh Burnham (transfer — Notre Dame; redshirt senior)
- Chiddi Obiazor (transfer — Kansas State; redshirt junior)
- Cam McHaney (four-star, Indianapolis)
- Ronelle Johnson (four-star, Blue Springs, Mo.)
- Gabe Hill (four-star, Naperville, Ill.)
- Kevontay Hugan (four-star, Sarasota, Fla.)
- Blake Smythe (three-star, Trafalgar, Ind.)
- Rodney White (three-star, Baltimore)
More previews:
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