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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football is welcoming back defensive end Kellan Wyatt to the team for the 2026 season.
The news comes on the heels of IU announcing Stephen Daley's return to Bloomington earlier this week. Like Daley, Wyatt will take advantage of a fifth-year of eligibility in 2026 by returning to Bloomington.
Wyatt's decision comes after a District Court judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction that grants athletes from the 2022 high school class an additional year of eligibility if they fit the criteria under the NCAA's new "five-for-five" rule.
The NCAA implemented the new age-based framework over the summer, but excluded athletes who exhausted their eligibility during the 2025-26 calendar year. Wyatt, a former Maryland transfer, played four seasons in four years.
More: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti navigating newfound fame
After starting IU's first seven games in 2025, Wyatt suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 38-13 win over Michigan State. At the time, Wyatt was second on the team with eight tackles for loss.
If the ruling stands up to further legal challenges — the NCAA issued a statement announcing it will appeal the decision right after the initial order — it's unclear the exact timeline for Wyatt's return from the injury and what position he would play.
The one-time linebacker could provide the Hoosiers a much needed veteran presence at the position behind Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy. He could also join Daley back at defensive end where IU loaded up on talent with three high-profile signees out of the transfer portal, Chiddi Obiazor, Tobi Osunsanmi and Josh Burnham.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kellan Wyatt intends to return to Indiana football for a fifth season
Continue reading...
The news comes on the heels of IU announcing Stephen Daley's return to Bloomington earlier this week. Like Daley, Wyatt will take advantage of a fifth-year of eligibility in 2026 by returning to Bloomington.
Wyatt's decision comes after a District Court judge in Colorado issued a preliminary injunction that grants athletes from the 2022 high school class an additional year of eligibility if they fit the criteria under the NCAA's new "five-for-five" rule.
The NCAA implemented the new age-based framework over the summer, but excluded athletes who exhausted their eligibility during the 2025-26 calendar year. Wyatt, a former Maryland transfer, played four seasons in four years.
More: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti navigating newfound fame
After starting IU's first seven games in 2025, Wyatt suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 38-13 win over Michigan State. At the time, Wyatt was second on the team with eight tackles for loss.
If the ruling stands up to further legal challenges — the NCAA issued a statement announcing it will appeal the decision right after the initial order — it's unclear the exact timeline for Wyatt's return from the injury and what position he would play.
The one-time linebacker could provide the Hoosiers a much needed veteran presence at the position behind Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy. He could also join Daley back at defensive end where IU loaded up on talent with three high-profile signees out of the transfer portal, Chiddi Obiazor, Tobi Osunsanmi and Josh Burnham.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kellan Wyatt intends to return to Indiana football for a fifth season
Continue reading...
