Indiana football redshirt junior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara was named to The Associated Press’ All-America third team, the AP announced Monday. He earned the honor as an edge rusher.
Kamara, who spent four seasons at James Madison University before following head coach Curt Cignetti to Bloomington, finished the regular season with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
The Ashburn, Virginia, native has played with a proverbial chip on his shoulder throughout the season, aiming to prove he could produce at the Power Four level just as he did at JMU.
“I think it's just something that's just there, right,” Kamara said during a press conference Tuesday. “I think it's something that we've all had because we've always been underdogs, and now to come in this situation and still be looked at as an underdog, that chip continues to grow to be honest with you.”
Kamara finished the season with 44 total tackles alongside his 64 pressures –– first in the Big Ten and second in the Power Four. He also forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
He also became the first Hoosier since Jammie Kirlew in 2008 (10.5) to rack up double-digit sacks.
Not only has Kamara produced at Indiana, but he’s cemented himself as one of the best pass rushers in the nation. He’ll have another opportunity on the national stage Friday to show his abilities.
“He's the harder worker on the defense, he's the last guy off the practice field, so he's always looking for his own improvement,” Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines said in a press conference Monday. “He's playing confidently. When you're playing confidently, you're going to play fast. You're going to play aggressive. That's what Mikail has done all year.”
Indiana travels to the University of Notre Dame to open the College Football Playoff First Round at 8 p.m. Friday at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The matchup will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
