Mikail Kamara will return to Indiana for 2025, he announced on Wednesday.

The standout edge rusher for the Hoosiers is coming off an All-American season — the first by an IU defensive lineman since 2007. His return gives coach Curt Cignetti another anchor piece for his defense in 2025, as fellow All-American linebacker Aidan Fisher announced days earlier he intended to run it back with IU in 2025.

A 6-foot-1 edge rusher, Kamara made the jump from James Madison to Indiana in 2024. After 4 seasons with the Dukes, he followed Cignetti to Bloomington and immediately became one of the faces of Cignetti’s IU rebuild.

Kamara ranked second among Big Ten players in both sacks (10) and tackles for loss (15), and he led all FBS defenders in quarterback pressures (68). Kamara was also an All-B1G First Team selection and a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

He began his career with James Madison in 2020, starting 6 times during the COVID-shortened campaign. An injury robbed him of his 2021 season and limited him to 5 appearances during the 2022 season. In 2023, he was a 12-game starter and an All-Sun Belt Second Team selection.

Kamara totaled 47 tackles this season, along with 2 forced fumbles and a pass breakup. He had the fourth-highest overall grade among qualified Big Ten defensive linemen.

Indiana will look different on offense next season, but the key faces on defense will be back to lead the unit once again. Kamara and Fisher are set to be joined by standout defensive back D’Angelo Ponds as well as safety Amare Ferrell.