Indiana defensive lineman Stephen Daley may be the best pure athlete on IU’s roster. At least that is what Peacock said Saturday after the transfer defensive lineman collected two more sacks. With Kellan Wyatt’s injury, Daley will get to display that freak athleticism more on the field.
“He’s a guy I really wish we had a couple years because he’s a tremendous athlete and once he’s learned the defense, he’s really making fast progress. He has size, strength, speed, suddenness. He plays hard. He was our player of the game on defense last week.” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said on Monday.
Daley spent the first three seasons of his college career at Kent State where he played in 34 games with 24 starts.
Daley has kind of gone under the radar as Wyatt earned the starting position, but he has shown what he can do when put on the field. Daley sniffed out a fake punt against Indiana State and has 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season.
Surprising people is not something new to Daley, he was turning heads on the track in high school when he ran the 100-meter and 200-meter events.
“Junior/senior year of track [was my most impressive athletic feat], just because I made states for throwing and sprints. Which is like, when you’re at a state track meet, like I’m the only person doing it. Like, I’ll have to throw a discus, they’re like “okay, 100 meters start warming up.” I’m like “oh I got to leave,” like, everyone else there looks like offensive lineman, I’m sitting there saying “oh I got to leave to go run 100 meters,” which everyone looks like wide receivers. I feel like that’s the most impressive, and then just being able to– I didn’t win states– I was able to hold my own. I got third my junior year, and seventh my senior year.” Daley explained.
Daley is listed in the IU media guide at 6’1” and 273 pounds. That’s a lot of human moving quickly. He has grown more comfortable in the IU defense, meaning he can just line up and play football.
Daley didn’t always play defense, in high school he was also a tight end, but he chose the other side of the ball for a reason not many have talked about.
“The reason I like defense more than offense is because I feel like offense- nothing against it- but like, only one person has a chance to really make a play. The person getting the ball, like the quarterback, but defense, everyone gets a shot. Anybody can make a play. I feel like it’s more like a group. We’re all working together, we all have a chance to equally impact the game on defense.” Daley said.
If that mindset does not sum up the Hoosier defense perfectly, I don’t know what would. With Kellan Wyatt down, it’ll be up to Daley and the rest of the Hoosier defense to keep the clamps down on opposing offenses.