DL Mario Landino Builds Chemistry Across the Hoosier Defensive Line

Football is far from an individual sport; it requires compromises and communication, and for Indiana defensive lineman Mario Landino, it demands one very specific quality: ‘meshing together’. Landino spoke to media members Wednesday morning following fall camp and remarked on his growth as a player and the future of Indiana Football, but mostly he reiterated the importance of the defensive line unit playing off each other; in tune with every movement, moment, and play.

“You know, we have a lot of guys that came back from last year. But it is just a good mesh of men that came together, and, you know, we’re still putting things together,” said Landino. “But it is a nice way to see what the future can be, as long as we put in the right work and right effort towards the season.”

Landino’s ‘meshing together’ mindset first arrived when we began in Bloomington in the fall of 2024. He appeared in 12 games during his freshman season, accumulating nine combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.

As a true freshman, Landino knew there was more work to do, and so he learned from the players who had done it before. He watched, listened, prepared, and slowly Landino began to become a part of the Indiana system; mentally and physically.

“Mikail Kamara, James Carpenter, CJ West, and Aiden Fisher have really shown me the pathway: how to build confidence, how to be a better player, how to learn the system. And it has helped me out this far,” said Landino.

In 2025, Tyrique Tucker and Landino anchored the defensive line, completely disrupting opponents during their perfect season. They helped control the rush, allowing 77.2 yards per game and leading Indiana to finish the season ranked No. 2 nationally in run defense. Elite athletic ability and instinct could be the answer to their success, but for Landino, their success derives from their ability to play as one; to play off of each other, as if they are foreshadowing the other one’s next move.

“I think that we have learned to play together, and we kind of know what each other is doing, and it helps us play on the field way better,” said Landino. “And the chemistry we have built throughout the time has really been successful for us both.”

Landino has seen firsthand the importance of chemistry, and he seeks to apply that mindset as new players adjust to the system in 2026. The national championship season has reached a bookend, and a new chapter begins.

“It is a different defensive line, different transfers; you still need to mesh together,” said Landino. “It is just the same thing on repeat: getting new guys, teaching them, trying to get better ourselves, and just going for it because it is a new season and there are new teams, new situations, and new opportunities.”

The 2026 depth chart for interior defensive linemen will look unfamiliar to Hoosier fans. Joe Hjelle leads the way as the only transfer, followed by redshirt freshmen and true freshmen. Landino and Tucker set the foundation, but with so much unfamiliarity, meshing together just got significantly more important.

“I think as a defensive line we just need to come together, mesh together, learn the plays, know how each other works, and know each position because Coach Haines demands that we know multiple positions,” said Landino.

In a defense under Pat Kuntz, preparation is required, experience is earned, and players look to build off the teammates next to them. Together they form a group built on each other and determined by each other. In the 2026 campaign, they hope to define success together.