Stephen Daley

Stephen Daley grew up in Northern Virginia with his parents (Leonard and Michele Daley). His father, who was born in Jamaica, died at age 56 in 2024. Stephen was a three-sport standout (basketball, football and track) at John Handley High School in Winchester, Va., and had a personal best of 10.81 seconds in the 100-meter dash. On the football field, he was named both offensive and defensive player of the year in the district as a 250-pound senior running back and defensive end. He rushed for 1,785 yards (10.1 yards per carry) and 25 touchdowns. A three-star recruit, Daley received his first two offers from Virginia and Virginia Tech, but his recruitment was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He ultimately committed to Kent State, where he was a two-year starter on the defensive line. He transferred to Indiana for his final season in 2025 and was a productive part of the Hoosiers’ rotation (Big Ten leader with 19 tackles for loss). However, he suffered a torn right ACL following the Big Ten championship game and missed the College Football Playoff. Daley played up and down the defensive line at both Kent State and Indiana. Using his initial quickness, he frequently plays in gaps and has surprising body flexibility to dip around blockers. His hands are both strong and violent, though his lack of length can limit him at times. He has trouble combating long-armed blockers once they get into his frame, and he relies on his first-step movements to gain quick advantages. Overall, Daley didn’t have much of a pre-draft process following his late-season ACL injury, but his quickness, motor and hand use are NFL-quality assets. He played mostly on the edge in college, but his best pro position might be inside as a rotational three-technique.