Daniel Ndukwe

BLOOMINGTON, IN - September 25, 2026 - linebacker Jacob Savage #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers and line backer Rolijah Hardy #5 of the Indiana Hoosiers and defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker #95 of the Indiana Hoosiers and defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe #17 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - September 12, 2026 - defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe #17 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Howard Bisons and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - April 11, 2026 - defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe #17 of the Indiana Hoosiers during practice at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - March 26, 2024 - defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe #91 of the Indiana Hoosiers during spring practice at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Grace Waggoner/IU Athletics

Photo by: \202#2\

BLOOMINGTON, IN - February 28, 2024 - defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe #91 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Team Run at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Andrew Mascharka/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Andrew Mascharka/Indiana Athletics

Position:
DL
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 243
Year:
3rd
Hometown:
Lithonia, Ga.
High School:
Arabia Mountain

Pronunciation: Daniel N-duke-way

Career Notes & Records
Appeared in 31 career games with one start ... One of 12 true freshmen to debut in 2024 and one of five not to redshirt ... Owns three career blocked punts (Maryland, 9/28/24; at Michigan State, 11/2/24; vs. Oregon, 1/9/2026) ... First Hoosier with multiple blocked kicks in the same season (2024) since James Head Jr. in 2022 ... First IU player with multiple blocked punts in the same season (2024) since Jerimy Finch in 2008 (Ball State & Michigan State) ... Blocked a punt in the 2026 Peach Bowl (1/9) ... Accounted for a safety with a tackle of Aiden Chiles in the end zone to open the scoring against Northwestern (9/25) in Week 4 of 2026.

2026 (Third Season)
Season: Appeared in four games with one start ... First collegiate start came against Northwestern (9/25) in Week 4 ... Tackled Aiden Chiles in the end zone for a safety to open the scoring against Northwestern (9/25) in Week 4 of 2026.

North Texas (9/5): Posted two tackles ... Logged solo tackle for loss in the second quarter. Howard (9/12): Both tackles went for a loss ... Posted solo tackle for loss in third quarter ... Added a solo stop behind the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter. Northwestern (9/25): Both tackles went for a loss ... Accounted for a safety with a tackle of Aiden Chiles in the end zone to open the scoring in the first quarter ... Added a combined stop behind the line with Turique Tucker near the end of the first quarter.

2025 (Sophomore Season)
Season: Appeared in 15 games ... Earned Academic All-Big Ten.

at Maryland (11/1): Posted two tackles. Wisconsin (11/15): Made four tackles ... Logged first-career tackle for loss with a solo stop in the first quarter. vs. Alabama (1/1): Had two tackles. vs. Oregon (1/9): Made three solo stops with 2.0 sacks ... Logged first collegiate sack on in the second quarter ... Had a sack-fumble that was recovered by Mario Landino in the second quarter and led to an IU touchdown ... Blocked a fourth-quarter punt that gave IU possession on the Oregon 7-yard line and led to a Hoosier score. vs. Miami (Fla.) (1/20): Posted two stops.

2024 (Freshman Season)
Season: Appeared in 12 games ... Saw 17 snaps on defense and 117 special teams snaps (73, kickoff coverage; 44, punt return) ... Made collegiate debut in Week 2 versus Western Illinois (9/6) ... One of 12 true freshman to debut in 2024 ... First Hoosier with multiple blocked kicks in the same season since James Head Jr. in 2022 ... First IU player with multiple blocked punts in the same season since Jerimy Finch in 2008 (Ball State & Michigan State).

Western Illinois (9/6): Made collegiate debut in the fourth quarter. Maryland (9/28): Blocked first career kick on a Terrapin punt and was credited for a 9-yard return. at Michigan State (11/2): Blocked second career punt in the fourth quarter.

Prep/Personal
Defensive end for head coach Julian Washington at Arabia Mountain High School … Consensus three-star prospect by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and On3 … Rated the No. 105 defensive end prospect by 247Sports … Tabbed the No. 146 recruit in Georgia by ESPN … Helped AMHS to the Georgia 4-5A Region title as a senior … Totaled 40 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack as a senior … Brother, David, plays football at Houston (2023) after three seasons at Western Kentucky (2020-22).