Cignetti, Indiana Support Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley in Eligibility Fight

Eligibility news and court cases have not skipped past Bloomington this fall. Last Friday, a stay on an injunction out of Colorado temporarily ended the comeback for fifth-year players across the country. Two of them, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, have been practicing with the Hoosiers.

Indiana Supporting Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley in Eligibility Fight

"Wyatt and Daley can practice. Right now they are ineligible to play, so we're taking that day-by-day." Cignetti clarified on Monday.

Both players are part of the 2022 high school class that would have had a fifth year under the new rules had they been grandfathered in. Both returned to Indiana practice, intending to play, in early August.

Daley and Wyatt Still Able to Practice

"We’re going to support them in their quest to be eligible to play. And Louis (Moore)’s situation was a little different because he could play in the games." Cignetti said.

Indiana had to deal with a lawsuit hanging in the balance until the middle of the season, with safety Louis Moore fighting to be eligible under the junior college rulings that said that those seasons did not count against a player's eligibility.

Backup Quarterback Battle Coming to a Conclusion

There were very few position battles for the Hoosiers heading into fall camp, but the one people were kind of keeping an eye on was between redshirt freshman Tyler Cherry and sixth-year senior Grant Wilson.

Cherry is a former four-star prospect from up the road in Greenwood, Indiana. He missed all of last season with a leg injury and has one game under his belt. Wilson, on the other hand, started at Fordham before starting for a season and a half at Old Dominion and transferring to Indiana prior to the 2025 season. He has what Cherry does not: experience.

"I would say Grant (Wilson) definitely has the edge for the number two. He’s an experienced guy and has had a good camp, and Tyler (Cherry)’s improved too." Cignetti said.

Cherry had been taking some practice repetitions with the twos throughout camp, but Cignetti does value experience over talent. The real gauge on what Cherry's role will be will come down to who Cignetti trots out in mop-up time.

Smoke is Clearing at Cornerback

The other position battle that has gone on through camp is for the cornerback spot opposite Jamari Sharpe. The battle has largely been between Ryland Gandy and Penn State transfer AJ Harris. However, this battle has been tilted in Gandy's favor due to injury.

"AJ (Harris) missed a couple of practices. He tweaked his knee, but expect him back soon. He’s working his way back right now. So, I would say the next seven practices will probably determine the size at the other cornerback position. They both have had their moments." Cignetti said.

Gandy played for the Hoosiers last season in mostly a reserve role, but did get the spot start when D'Angelo Ponds missed the game against Iowa.

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