Indiana Judge Clears Daley, Wyatt for IU Title Defense — SkimNews
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- Judge Kara Krothe of the Monroe Circuit Court issued a TRO Friday enjoining the NCAA and its conferences from blocking plaintiffs — including Daley and Wyatt — from competing in Division I during 2026-27 based on having already played four seasons or not entering the transfer portal.
- Krothe wrote that the court's intention is to place plaintiffs in the position they were in at the end of their last college sports season, ruling they are eligible today if they would have had a fifth year of eligibility otherwise; a hearing on the motion is scheduled for Sept. 11.
- Stephen Daley, a fifth-year senior from Winchester, Virginia, ranked third in the FBS with 19 tackles for loss last season, added 5.5 sacks and 35 tackles, and missed three CFP games after injuring his knee during the celebration of IU's 13-10 Big Ten championship win over Ohio State.
- Kellan Wyatt, a senior from Glen Burnie, Maryland, recorded 28 tackles, 8 TFL, and 2.5 sacks in 2025 before a knee injury in a 38-13 win over Michigan State; he has started 35 career games.
- Daley and Wyatt's status had been in limbo since the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Aug. 21 granted the NCAA's motion to overturn a lower-court ruling that had granted extra eligibility to Class of 2022 athletes excluded from the new five-for-five rule.
- Other plaintiffs in the case include Miami forward Malik Reneau (who averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds last season), an Indiana women's volleyball player, a Butler basketball player, and two IU swimmers.
- The No. 6 Hoosiers, who went 16-0 to win their first national title last season, open the 2026 season at home against North Texas on Saturday.
Why it matters: The ruling restores two proven defensive starters to a defending national champion before its opener, directly reshaping IU's title defense. By granting the TRO despite the 10th Circuit's Aug. 21 stay against the NCAA, Krothe signals that state courts remain a viable workaround for athletes challenging the five-for-five rule, joining dozens of other successful petitions around the country.
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