When the Nebraska football team takes on Indiana later this fall, the Huskers will have more than their work cut out for them. Now that the Hoosiers could be getting two big pieces of their national title team back for a fifth season, things are looking even more grim. The biggest and most impactful potential return is that of defensive tackle Stephen Daley.
An honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection last year will boost an already deep and talented defensive group up front for the defending national champions. Daley ranked third nationally in 2025 with 19 tackles for loss to go along with 5.5 sacks. Both of those numbers should make Husker fans who watched former quarterback Dylan Raiola go down even against teams that didn't have a pass rush to speak of just a little bit nervous.
Daley will suit up for Indiana against Nebraska and the rest of the Hoosiers' schedule thanks to the Colorado Court case that gave several members of the 2022 class another season as part of the new 5-for-5 rule change the NCAA passed earlier this year.
In returning for a fifth and final season, Daley will get to finish his college career on his terms. He missed the entire College Football Playoff run that gave Indiana its first national title after suffering a knee injury during the postgame celebration following the Hoosiers' 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.
Stephen Daley return gives Indiana another weapon against Nebraska football
Considering how unfortunate and ill-timed that injury was, it's hardly strange that Daley would want to come back for one season, even after he thought his college football playing days were over.
The other Hoosier whom Nebraska thought was long gone, who could be in Lincoln this fall, is tight end Holden Staes. Having never redshirted in his college career and never signed a professional contract, Staes is among those athletes impacted by the same ruling that allowed Daley to come back.
Multiple reports have stated that Staes is exploring a return for the 2026 season. While the tight end never put up huge numbers, it's possible that he could immediately vault into a starting spot. Even if he doesn't, he'd add an experienced voice and body to a room full of youth and inexperience.
All five tight ends on Indiana's roster are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Unsurprisingly, they have just 17 snaps of college football experience among them.
Staes played his previous four years with Notre Dame and then Indiana. In total, he tallied 38 catches for 380 yards and 7 touchdowns. Last season, he appeared in all 16 games for the Hoosiers and totaled 7 catches for 62 yards, making his catches count by turning them into a pair of touchdowns.
When Indiana comes to Nebraska on October 10, the Hoosiers could be bringing two players no one expected to be part of the team even a month ago. The Huskers' meanwhile, don't appear to have anyone looking to come back under the Colorado court ruling.
Add us as a preferred source on Google