BLOOMINGTON โ Indiana football linebacker Aiden Fisher found himself in a leadership role without ever playing as a mid-year enrollee.
Upon returning, the Hoosiers sought to move James Madison to learn more about IU's new coaching staff and defensive scheme.
“It's kind of fun to see everyone gravitate toward you little by little and being able to help them with all the new things,” Fisher said.
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Fisher has embraced the role and hopes to have as much of an impact on the field as the Hoosiers are looking to replace starting linebackers Aaron Casey and Jacob Mangum-Farrar. The tandem started all 12 games together in this position.
IU's new staff shifted Mangum-Farrar to the defensive end as Casey strives to realize his NFL dreams.
Fisher spoke to reporters near the halfway point of spring practice and was excited about the progress his team has made in just a few weeks.
“It's been a pretty smooth transition so far,” Fisher said.
Indiana football will follow the same blueprint James Madison used last season
Fisher called joining the Big Ten part of his continued “ascension.”
Fisher's ascent began in 2021 when he was an unranked prospect out of Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He signed with James Madison and played primarily on special teams his freshman year.
Fisher was a breakout star for a Duke team last season that went 11-2, holding opponents to 19.5 points (20th in FBS) and 333.8 yards per game (30th in FBS).
According to Pro Football Focus, Fisher was second on the team with 741 defensive snaps. He also filled out the stat sheet with 108 tackles (51 solo), seven pass breakups, one blocked kick, one interception, and 21 quarterback pressures.
“They're a really explosive defenseman,” Coach Fisher said after practice last week. “We led the country in TFL and I think we had one of the top sack leaders in the country. We allow our players to play fast and play freely. That's what attracted a lot of players to play in our system. I think that's why I wear it.”
Bryant Haynes, the system's architect and former James Madison defensive coordinator, joined coach Kurt Haynes, along with Fisher, fellow linebacker Jaylin Walker, defensive tackle James Carpenter and defensive end Mikail Kamara. He followed Cignetti to Bloomington.
โThe biggest thing for me was Coach Haynes, Coach Cignetti, the system they put me through, and the way I've watched myself grow over the years. It was about continuing to grow,โ Fisher said. “I didn't see any reason to stop it. It's definitely something to keep pursuing.”
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Indiana football will rely on former Sun Belt defender at linebacker
Fisher and Walker are new to IU, but have plenty of experience, having played together last season. They started the team's final seven games for JMU last year.
Walker, who is one year older than Fisher, received honorable mention All-Sun Belt honors in 2022 and 2023. He started 19 career games last year and recorded 61 tackles (32 solo) and three forced fumbles.
“Really explosive, dynamic player. Great players to play with. I know both of us are really excited to play with everyone in this group,” Fisher said. he said.
Indiana University's other big addition to the position was Troy linebacker Jayden McDonald.
McDonald signed with Iowa State in 2018 as a three-star prospect out of North Gwinnett High School in Georgia. After transferring to Troy, McDonald sat out 2019 under the NCAA's previous transfer rules and had to battle an injury (ankle) in 2021. and 2022 (knee).
He was fully healthy last fall and led the team with 75 tackles (40 solo) last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he had 14 quarterback pressures and 11 quarterback hurries. He appeared in 35 games from 2020-23.
“Jaden is a fierce, passionate, energetic guy. He has a 'heart and soul' mentality for our defense and our other players feed off of him,” Troy coach John said.ใปSumrall talked about McDonald's.
Fisher said the coaching staff rotated the entire roster during the first half of camp. Although Walker primarily played weakside linebacker, he traditionally played the role of middle linebacker.
“I played multiple roles and performed with the entire group,” Fisher said.
They hope to hang back a little and repeat their success in the Sun Belt.
“This is on a bigger scale. I look at it as an opportunity to prove myself and show that I belong here. A lot of players have transferred, that's why they're here,” Fisher said. “I think they're ready to compete.” The biggest stage. โ
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for the Bloomington Herald Times. You can follow him at X @michaelniziolek Click here to read all of his articles.
