All-Big Ten Team Shows Indiana's Drastic Talent Jump Under Curt Cignetti

Just two years ago, only three Hoosiers made the All-Big Ten football teams: linebacker Aaron Casey (first and second team), punter James Evans (third team) and return specialist Jaylin Lucas (third team). Three more received honorable mentions.

Fast forward two years, and there's been a drastic jump in talent from former head coach Tom Allen to second-year head coach Curt Cignetti's roster.

This week the conference announced All-Big Ten selections, and 19 Hoosiers were picked to the first three teams or received honorable mentions –– not to mention Cignetti won Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Curt Cignetti Indiana Football — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium. | RIch Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Here's a full breakdown of Indiana's All-Big Ten players on defense and special teams.

First team

DL Tyrique Tucker (coaches, media)
LB Aiden Fisher (coaches, media)
DB Louis Moore (coaches)
DB D’Angelo Ponds (coaches, media)
LS Mark Langston (coaches, media)
K Nico Radicic (media)
QB Fernando Mendoza (coaches, media)
LT Carter Smith (coaches, media)

Tucker has been a consistent force in the middle, recording 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Fisher, a first-team All-American last season, is the heart and soul of Indiana's defense at linebacker, rankings second on the team with 72 tackles.

Moore and Ponds have been a dynamic duo in the secondary, combining for six interceptions and nine pass breakups. Radicic is a perfect 13-for-13 on field goals and 70-for-70 on extra points, with snaps coming from Langston.

Mendoza was also named Big Ten offensive player of the year, completing 72.5% of his passes for 32 yards and just five interceptions. Smith was named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year for his stellar protection of Mendoza at left tackle.

Indiana's Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks UCLA's Nico Iamaleava (9) at Memorial Stadium. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-TImes / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Second team

LB Rolijah Hardy (coaches, media)
DB Amare Ferrell (media)
DB Louis Moore (media)
K Nico Radicic (coaches)
RS Jonathan Brady (coaches)
WR Omar Cooper Jr. (coaches, media)
WR Elijah Sarratt (coaches, media)
C Pat Coogan (media)
TE Riley Nowakowski (media)

Hardy is arguably underrated here, given that he leads Indiana with 76 tackles and seven sacks. Ferrell is tied for the team lead with Ponds with seven pass breakups, and he second to Moore with four interceptions. Brady averages 17.5 yards per punt return and returned one for a touchdown.

Cooper and Sarratt made one of the best wide receiver duos in the nation, combining for 1,454 yards and 22 touchdowns. Coogan was an impactful transfer from Notre Dame, anchoring the line at the center position. And Nowakowski was vital in the run game with his blocking ability, as well as the pass game with 296 yards and two scores.

Indiana Footbal — Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) and defensive lineman Stephen Daley (8) celebrate against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Third team

LB Isaiah Jones (media)
RS Jonathan Brady (media)
C Pat Coogan (coaches)
TE Riley Nowakowski (coaches)
RB Roman Hemby (media)

Jones is second among Hoosiers with 12 tackles for loss, and he ranks top four in tackles and sacks. He also has an interception, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Hemby rushed 163 times for 866 yards and six touchdowns, good for 5.3 yards per carry.

Isaiah Jones Indiana Football — Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates a sack against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Honorable mention

Amare Ferrell (coaches)
Isaiah Jones (coaches)
Mikail Kamara (coaches, media)
Stephen Daley (coaches, media)
RB Roman Hemby (coaches)

Kamara was a first-team All-Big Ten player and an All-American last season, but he wasn't quite as productive this year. He finished the regular season with just 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack after totaling 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2024. Daley, a transfer from Kent State, picked up the slack with a Big Ten-most 18 tackles for loss –– perhaps deserving more than just an honorable mention.

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