Scouting Future Saints: Indiana Hoosiers edge rusher Mikail Kamara

TL;DR

Mikail Kamara, an edge rusher from the Indiana Hoosiers, is projected as a potential steal in the 2026 NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints are likely to select an edge rusher early, making Kamara a notable candidate.

Key points

Mikail Kamara is an edge rusher from Indiana Hoosiers.
He is projected to be a potential steal in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints are likely to select an edge rusher early.
Kamara's physical stats include 6 feet height and 250 pounds weight.
He has a 40-yard dash time of 4.90 seconds.

Mikail KamaraNew Orleans SaintsIndiana Hoosiers

Most projections have the New Orleans Saints selecting an edge rusher early in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a position that also has surprising depth this year. One extremely productive player that could even slip into Day 3 is Mikail Kamara of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers, making him a potential draft steal.

New Orleans had productive edge rushers in 2025. While Chase Young is only 27 and coming off his best season though, franchise legend Cam Jordan turns 37 and is still unsigned and Carl Granderson is best as a rotational player. It's for that reason why the position is considered a need for the Saints. While it's likely they address it early on, don't overlook Kamara as a player who could be a tremendous steal for the team that drafts him.

Mikail Kamara bio

Position: Edge rusher
ollege: Indiana Hoosiers
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 250 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.90
10-yard split: 1.70
Vertical jump: 34"

The regional defensive player of the year out of Stone Bridge High School in Virginia, Kamara stayed in-state with the James Madison Dukes for his collegiate start. Covid kept his 2020 freshman season to six games and injury short-circuited Kamara's 2021 season and limited his 2022 campaign to only five games. In those five contests, he'd record an impressive 4 sacks and a forced fumble. Kamara was a force for the Dukes in 2023, recording 7.5 sacks along with 18.5 tackles for loss among 53 total stops while forcing 4 fumbles.

In 2024, Kamara followed teammates Elijah Sarratt and Kaelon Black in following coach Curt Cignetti to the Indiana Hoosiers from James Madison. Kamara was magnificent that season, leading the Hoosiers with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in earning 1st Team All-Big Ten and 3rd Team All-American recognition. In 2025, Kamara was one of the few players who may have actually hurt their draft stock in returning to the Hoosiers for their national championship run. He was credited with over 50 pressures, but had only 2 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Kamara did end on a high note, getting named the CFP Defensive Player of the Game in Indiana's national title game win over the Miami Hurricanes.

Q&A

What are Mikail Kamara's physical stats and performance metrics?

Mikail Kamara stands 6 feet tall, weighs 250 pounds, has a 40-yard dash time of 4.90 seconds, a 10-yard split of 1.70 seconds, and a vertical jump of 34 inches.

Why do the New Orleans Saints need an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Saints need an edge rusher due to the aging Cam Jordan, who is 37 and unsigned, and the reliance on rotational players like Carl Granderson.

How does Mikail Kamara compare to other edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Kamara is considered a highly productive player with potential to be selected on Day 3 of the draft, amidst a class with surprising depth at the edge rusher position.

What is Mikail Kamara's college football background?

Mikail Kamara played for the Indiana Hoosiers, contributing significantly to their national championship success.