Indiana’s already strong defensive line got a major boost on Tuesday afternoon.
Edge rusher Stephen Daley is returning to the Hoosiers for a fifth season.
After transferring in from Kent State during the offseason, Daley became one of Indiana’s most valuable defensive players as the 2025 season progressed. He was rotating early in the season but saw his role progress over time, especially when starter Kellan Wyatt went down with a season-ending injury.
Through the end of the regular season, Daley led the Big Ten and was tied for the national lead in tackles for loss. He had 19 tackles for loss to go with 41 quarterback pressures, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He had 10 tackles for loss over the last three games of the regular season.
Daley suffered a knee injury during the postgame celebration following Indiana’s Big Ten Championship game win over Ohio State. He missed the entire College Football Playoff.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines called Daley the best defensive end in college football prior to the injury.
“I think when he got hurt, and I’m biased, I think he was the best defensive end in college football,” Haines said. “I really believe that. Just the amount of disruption he was causing. You can look at the numbers if you wanted to argue that, but I think statistically what you’ll see is that was the best defensive end in college football when he got hurt.”
The injury prevented Daley from landing an opportunity at an NFL training camp this summer.
Daley’s return is made possible by a federal injunction that allows all class of 2022 athletes to play a fifth season of college sports.
He joins what already projected to be one of the nation’s top defensive end groups. The Hoosiers return Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino who have experience on the outside, and brought in transfers Chiddi Obiazor (Kansas State), Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State), Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame).
Run it back, @sdaley_90. pic.twitter.com/zRnUt9jku0
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) August 4, 2026
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