On Christmas Day of 2024, All-American defensive end Mikail Kamara announced his would be returning to Indiana next season and would forgo the 2025 NFL Draft.
CBS Sports’ Will Backus recently highlighted several sixth-year seniors to watch this fall, including Indiana Hoosier edge rusher Mikail Kamara.
CBS Sports says "Though Kamara has transferred once, he has spent his entire career attached to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, who signed the talented pass rusher in 2020 when he was entering his second year at then-FCS James Madison." "Kamara missed the entire 2021 season due to injury."
"His breakout year coincided with James Madison's move to the FBS in 2022, as he logged 14 tackles and four sacks. Kamara followed Cignetti to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season and finished the year as a first-team All-Big Ten selection after finishing with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss."
Though COVID years are running out, college football players are still finding new and exciting ways to extend their eligibility.
— Will Backus (@will_backus1) March 16, 2025
Here’s a few super-super seniors that could have a big impact on the 2025 season:https://t.co/OdFzdJ99vP
"Instead of being a fifth-, sixth-rounder, simply because (scouts) didn't really know me, I didn't have the hype coming into the season like some of the other guys did," Kamara said on theHoosier Hysterics! Podcast,"I could get the first-round bid basically if I go out there, do what I did last year, do that again next year, which I have no doubts about. So I'm excited for it all."
According to Pro Football Focus, Kamara graded out as Indiana’s best defensive player with a grade of 86.7.
Kamara is not the only major piece returning for Curt Cignetti's defense. Linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds were both All-Americans who will return to one of the nation's top defenses.
Some of the other notable names on the list were:
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt, Tré Williams, DL, Michigan, Haynes King QB, Georgia Tech , Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech, Nikhai Hill-Green, LB, Alabama and Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL).