Mikail Kamara, the Indiana Hoosiers’ redshirt junior defensive lineman, has received numerous national honours for his remarkable performance throughout the 2024 college football season. Notably, he was voted National Defensive Player of the Week by both the Maxwell Football Club and the Walter Camp Football Foundation for his outstanding performance against Michigan State on November 2, 2024.
In the game, Kamara recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, helping Indiana win 47-10. His efforts were vital in limiting the Spartans to just 77 yards in the final three quarters.
Throughout the season, Kamara led the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks and finished second with 14.5 tackles for loss. His sustained performance earned him a position on the Associated Press All-America third team, making him the first Hoosier defensive lineman to get this honour since 2007.
Kamara began his trip to Indiana at James Madison University, where he played for head coach Curt Cignetti before transferring to Bloomington. His transfer to the Big Ten has been marked by strong contributions to the Hoosiers’ defence, demonstrating his ability to perform at a higher level.
His honours include being selected a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which is given yearly to the nation’s best defensive player.
Kamara’s influence on the field has been enormous, and his selection as one of the nation’s best defensive players highlights his significant contributions to Indiana’s successful season.