BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football’s two major roster additions during fall camp are already getting closer to practicing at full capacity.
Defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt rejoined the Hoosiers with an additional year of eligibility following recent court rulings. Both players saw their 2025 seasons end prematurely due to knee injuries — Wyatt went down in October, while Daley got hurt celebrating IU’s Big Ten Championship game win in early December.
IU head coach Curt Cignetti reiterated on Monday that the program isn’t rushing either player along, but he said both are progressing closer to full strength.
“I think Daley will be ready to take some 11-on-11 reps next week, with Wyatt a little bit behind him,” Cignetti said. “Both of them were really good players for us. Kellan Wyatt was playing really good football when he got hurt, and Stephen Daley really emerged, big time. So it gives those guys an opportunity to finish what they started. They didn’t get that opportunity last year because of injury. And it makes us a better football team.”
Indiana already had promising depth along the defensive line before Daley and Wyatt rejoined the program. Daniel Ndukwe played really well during the College Football Playoff after Daley’s injury, and IU brought in Josh Burnham from Notre Dame along with Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsami from Kansas State on the ends. Tyrique Tucker, Mario Landino, and Tulsa transfer Joe Hjelle should keep the interior defensive line locked down.
Cignetti expressed confidence in defensive coordinator Bryant Haines to figure out the best way to make use of all those bodies.
“One (Daley) is an end, and one (Wyatt) is a stud. I let Bryant handle the defense, because I got a pretty good idea of what he’s thinking,” Cignetti said. “Wyatt could possibly have some linebacker versatility in our trio package, which we play against 12 personnel.”
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