Indiana football All-American Aiden Fisher named ‘sleeper’ at position in early look at 2026 NFL Draft

As the 2024 college football season comes to a close, the first look at the 2026 NFL Draft board is here. With three days until the deadline arrives for the 2025 NFL Draft, there is a relatively clear picture at who will be back next season and eventually headline the 2026 draft — including one member of the Indiana football program.

One of those potential headliners is All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher. Fisher, who announced his intention to return to Indiana following the loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, emerges as one of the top linebackers, and defensive players, heading into the 2025 season.

According to Matt Miller, ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst, Fisher is listed as a ‘sleeper’ at the linebacker position. Each position group had three key names and one sleeper. The three other names at the poison were Anthony Hill Jr of Texas, Herald Perkins Jr of LSU and Suntarine Perkins of Ole Miss.

Fisher finished 2024 with 118 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups. His tackle ranked third in the Big Ten and 16th nationally. 

He was also a First-Team All-Big Ten selection.

Coming from James Madison, Fisher was a huge reason for the success in year one of the Curt Cignetti era with Indiana football. He was the quarterback of the defense that led the nation in rush defense (80.2 ypg), second in total yards (256.3) and ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense (15.6 ppg).

“First, you start with the scheme. We hada really good scheme. Coach Haines puts us in, he putsus in positions to succeed. We’re a fast defense. A lot ofpeople look at our defense, you know, we’re not thebiggest guys. But we do have speed, which kind of combats a lot of the things that these offenses do.

Indiana football finished the season 11-2, with its two losses coming to Notre Dame and Ohio State, both teams who played for the 2024 National Championship.

“You look at the track that Indiana football is on previously before we got here. Then you look now, it’s kind of a full 180,” Fisher said. “I think we’ve laid a foundation of what Indiana football can be and what it is now, and I expect to be right back here next year.”

SEE ALSO: ‘He can make all the throws’: Curt Cignetti excited about addition of Fernando Mendoza and ready for Indiana football to ‘do a lot of things with him’

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