Leadership Takeaways from Indiana Football’s Big Ten Media Day

Leadership drives a team forward; it propels progress and demands trust. The 2026 Big Ten Media Day became home to three of Indiana Football’s most influential and dominant leaders. Offensive lineman Carter Smith, defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker, and linebacker Isaiah Jones each exemplify qualities of leadership, and together they work to define success. It is a success they hope to find on the field, but it is also one guaranteed to be found within each player of this 2026 Hoosiers roster.

Carter Smith, Tyrique Tucker, and Isaiah Jones are all veteran players on this Hoosiers team. They have dedicated themselves to Indiana Football; through wins, losses, and setbacks, these players have remained. They have developed into great players, and even better people, and those aspects have bled into their leadership styles.

“What makes them special is that they are leaders on the team,” Curt Cignetti said. “They are good players with good characters, and they do most of it the right way.”

Every team exemplifies leadership differently, but for Indiana Football, four main pillars set the foundation for leadership and success.

Communication

Isaiah Jones will step into a more vocal role this season. With Aiden Fisher in the bright lights of the National Football League, the baton is now passed to Jones, and he strives to rise to the task.

“For me, it is about being more of a vocal leader,” said Jones. “It is also about making bigger plays and stepping up, whether it’s in the film room or talking to the young guys.”

Jones recorded a breakout year in the 2025 season. He tallied 38 solo tackles and 40 assists. He ranked second on the team in tackles for loss with 15.5, and in sacks with seven. He appeared in 16 games with seven starts, and he will up those numbers this season as a starter. Communication will be key to Jones’ evolution. 

Being vocal can also stem from the sidelines. For Carter Smith, this was all too real during the spring season. The All-American suffered a torn labrum in the 2025 season and received surgery ahead of spring practices. Being forced to the sidelines is never easy, but Smith ensured he would make as much of an impact as possible, and that began with communication.

“I just try to be as vocal as possible, especially since I am coming off an injury,” said Smith. “I had to step into more of a mentor role for some of the younger players.”

Leading by Example

Sometimes actions are stronger than words. Often through observation and attentiveness, great changes can be made, and for Tyrique Tucker, leading by example is what he does best. Tucker followed Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana in 2024, and he understands the standards that Cignetti expects from his players. 

“I always try to show by example, lead by example,” said Tucker. “But I also understand a lot of young guys do look up to me, and I try to show them how to handle business, how you perform, how you act, and how you handle yourself.”

Tucker exemplifies what progress looks like. While at James Madison, Tucker played in 13 games with five starts across his two seasons. When Bloomington came calling in 2024, Tucker worked his way up, and in 2025 he started in all 16 games, tallying 16 solo tackles, 40 combined tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, and six sacks. 

For younger players, he represents someone who understood and accepted the process. He was patient, but through consistency, hard work, and determination, Tucker continues to see a return on investment. 

“I want to show young players that on the field it is business and we handle that,” said Tucker.

It is a simple phrase, and yet it speaks volumes to what is embedded into this program; all revolving around unfinished business. 

Dependability

Leadership takes on many definitions; however, reliability is always in the fine print. Trust sets the foundation for great leaders and even greater teams.

“Leading also means being the guy people can come to and ask questions,” said Jones.

Smith echoed similar sentiments, remarking that it is important that players feel comfortable and confident, saying, “Making sure that everyone is comfortable with their position and they know their assignments is really important.” 

Being the “Spark:”

In their own ways, Smith, Jones, and Tucker have all become the “spark” in the offseason and for the upcoming season. Whether it is during a speech in the huddle or completing that extra rep in practice, each one of these players brings the standard with them, and it creates ripples.

“If defense needs a spark, I need to be able to give that spark play in and play out, regardless of how you’re playing so far in the game,” Jones said. “ I want to be the guy people can rally around.”

On Thursday, Jones, Smith, and Tucker were all chosen to represent the crimson and cream. Their commitment to Indiana, to Cignetti, and to their teammates has granted them this role, resulting in unwavering leadership that will bleed into future success.