Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Edition - Drew Evans, Riley Nowakowski & Kellan Wyatt
8/13/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– As the third week of fall camp continues, seniors Riley Nowakowski and Kellan Wyatt and junior Drew Evans addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Wednesday (August 13).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Drew Evans | R-Jr. | OL
On his mindset following his injury last season and how it happened ...
DE: Obviously that was really a devastating moment. I was really excited, because [the Michigan] d-line was really tough last year, and I felt that was a good opportunity to prove myself against some of the top guys. It was really kind of heartbreaking, but a good opportunity to face some adversity.
I was up in a sled and then just all of a sudden it felt like someone came and kicked me in the back of my leg. I was kind of like, 'who kicked me in the back of the leg?' And then, that is when I realized it was pretty serious.
On the recovery process...
DE: With the Achilles, I was completely out of everything and not doing much for six weeks. Then I start to work in the walking again, then getting on a lighter treadmill, like the [AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill], so it is a very slow process. Once I got back lifting and started to see some strides in my calf strength, it was more uplifting, but still just very gradual, slow process. Still, it's hard to sit out and watch your friends play without you.
On how difficult the process was mentally...
DE: Obviously really hard [mentally]. I've never been in that situation before. Especially the first few weeks when my friends are going to play really good teams without me and I cannot be out there with them. That was tough, but you really just have to focus one day at a time and know it is going to be done eventually.
Riley Nowakowski | R-Sr.+ | TE
On watching film from last year to get a feel for the expectation...
RN: That was a big part of my recruitment process, watching a lot of [Zach Horton's] film. We have a similar build and similar play style, so that was a big draw. Coach [Grant] Cain told me I fit this role really well. So, that was a big draw for me.
On how he sees his game fitting in with the offense...
RN: I played fullback back at Wisconsin, so I have a little bit of that hard-nosed, downhill mentality; a lot of gap scheme, a lot of power and all of that stuff. But then, I feel like I have enough athleticism, enough wiggle to get open in the pass game and be a threat. People don't know that I have a little bit of speed, so I feel like I am a little bit of a deep threat.
On how much he paid attention to IU's 2024 season...
RN: Being a part of the Big Ten last year I was watching them all year long. We played them the year prior, in 2023, and lost to them. They were kind of on my mind, and then to see them the next year with the turnaround and everything, that was a big draw when I was looking to come here: what [Curt Cignetti] did with this team in only one year. Having played them the year before and knowing what they were like then, and seeing 2024 it was a big difference.
Kellan Wyatt | Sr. | DL
On what drew him to Indiana from Maryland...
KW: I played them a couple of times, like you said, and every time I played them it always felt like they had a competitive team, and they always fought hard in everything they did; from offense to defense to special teams. I really came here just to be a part of something special like that and am looking forward to keep developing relationships with the guys to be one of those guys that can make an impact for the team.
On his role on the defensive line...
KW: [My role] is pretty similar for the most part. I am kind of traveling and playing multiple positions, which is a good thing. Being more versatile and find more ways to not come off the field. I think it is very similar. I was dropping and rushing at Maryland, same thing I am doing now. Sometimes, just from different spots.
On if he'd had any contact with the current staff while being recruited out of high school...
KW: It was pretty fresh. At the time, I was just trying to explore my options. I always kept this team in the back of my mind because I knew how special they were. Especially, how they played last year. Going into the portal I didn't know any of [the coaches] and once I got the chance to meet them and be around them, that was when I really felt like this was the place for me.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Drew Evans | R-Jr. | OL
On his mindset following his injury last season and how it happened ...
DE: Obviously that was really a devastating moment. I was really excited, because [the Michigan] d-line was really tough last year, and I felt that was a good opportunity to prove myself against some of the top guys. It was really kind of heartbreaking, but a good opportunity to face some adversity.
I was up in a sled and then just all of a sudden it felt like someone came and kicked me in the back of my leg. I was kind of like, 'who kicked me in the back of the leg?' And then, that is when I realized it was pretty serious.
On the recovery process...
DE: With the Achilles, I was completely out of everything and not doing much for six weeks. Then I start to work in the walking again, then getting on a lighter treadmill, like the [AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill], so it is a very slow process. Once I got back lifting and started to see some strides in my calf strength, it was more uplifting, but still just very gradual, slow process. Still, it's hard to sit out and watch your friends play without you.
On how difficult the process was mentally...
DE: Obviously really hard [mentally]. I've never been in that situation before. Especially the first few weeks when my friends are going to play really good teams without me and I cannot be out there with them. That was tough, but you really just have to focus one day at a time and know it is going to be done eventually.
Riley Nowakowski | R-Sr.+ | TE
On watching film from last year to get a feel for the expectation...
RN: That was a big part of my recruitment process, watching a lot of [Zach Horton's] film. We have a similar build and similar play style, so that was a big draw. Coach [Grant] Cain told me I fit this role really well. So, that was a big draw for me.
On how he sees his game fitting in with the offense...
RN: I played fullback back at Wisconsin, so I have a little bit of that hard-nosed, downhill mentality; a lot of gap scheme, a lot of power and all of that stuff. But then, I feel like I have enough athleticism, enough wiggle to get open in the pass game and be a threat. People don't know that I have a little bit of speed, so I feel like I am a little bit of a deep threat.
On how much he paid attention to IU's 2024 season...
RN: Being a part of the Big Ten last year I was watching them all year long. We played them the year prior, in 2023, and lost to them. They were kind of on my mind, and then to see them the next year with the turnaround and everything, that was a big draw when I was looking to come here: what [Curt Cignetti] did with this team in only one year. Having played them the year before and knowing what they were like then, and seeing 2024 it was a big difference.
Kellan Wyatt | Sr. | DL
On what drew him to Indiana from Maryland...
KW: I played them a couple of times, like you said, and every time I played them it always felt like they had a competitive team, and they always fought hard in everything they did; from offense to defense to special teams. I really came here just to be a part of something special like that and am looking forward to keep developing relationships with the guys to be one of those guys that can make an impact for the team.
On his role on the defensive line...
KW: [My role] is pretty similar for the most part. I am kind of traveling and playing multiple positions, which is a good thing. Being more versatile and find more ways to not come off the field. I think it is very similar. I was dropping and rushing at Maryland, same thing I am doing now. Sometimes, just from different spots.
On if he'd had any contact with the current staff while being recruited out of high school...
KW: It was pretty fresh. At the time, I was just trying to explore my options. I always kept this team in the back of my mind because I knew how special they were. Especially, how they played last year. Going into the portal I didn't know any of [the coaches] and once I got the chance to meet them and be around them, that was when I really felt like this was the place for me.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DL
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