Aiden Fisher

NFL Draft Profile: Aiden Fisher

Position: Inside Linebacker (MIKE) | School: Indiana | Class: Senior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 233 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper / Hybrid

College Career Summary

Aiden Fisher’s journey is the quintessential "overlooked to All-American" story. After starting his career at James Madison and leading the Dukes with 108 tackles in 2023, he followed coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. In Bloomington, Fisher became the catalyst for one of the nation's most improved defenses. In 2024, he became Indiana's first-ever All-American linebacker after recording 118 tackles. His 2025 season was defined by a historic 12-0 run and a Big Ten title. Despite a mid-season knee injury, he remained the de facto defensive captain and "Green Dot" signal-caller, finishing the season with 77 tackles and 2 interceptions, including a clutch game-sealer against Penn State.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 45+

• Total Tackles: 300+ (77 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 18.5 (7.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 5.5 (2.5 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 3 (2 in 2025)

• Pass Deflections: 11 (2 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. FIU	12 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A	Total command in IU debut; lived in the backfield.
vs. Indiana State	3 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B	Controlled the middle; limited snaps in blowout.
@ UCLA	1 Tkl, 1 INT	B-	Left early with a knee injury; salvaged grade with INT.
vs. Maryland	0 Stats	N/A	OUT (Knee).
vs. Penn State	5 Tkl, 1 INT	A+	Season Best. Game-winning 4th qtr INT on return.
@ Michigan State	9 Tkl, 1.5 TFL	A-	Elite processing; stuffed the interior run.
vs. Oregon	13 Tkl, 1.5 Sk	A	Put on a clinic against a top-tier offense.
@ Iowa	9 Tkl, 2 QBH	B+	Gritty performance in a trench battle; high IQ.
vs. Wisconsin	7 Tkl	B	Steady and reliable; directed the front seven.
@ Purdue	7 Tkl	B+	Controlled the Bucket game; secure tackling.
vs. Ohio State	5 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Struggled to shed elite Big Ten OL blocks.
Rose Bowl (TBD)	-	N/A	Final career showcase.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Processing: Fisher is a "first-step" player. His Play Recognition allows him to trigger into run gaps before the OL can climb to him.

• Leadership: A unanimous captain who transitioned from JMU to the Big Ten without missing a beat. He is the vocal heart of the defense.

• Tackling Form: He is a high-volume tackler who uses a very technically sound "strike-and-wrap" Technique. He rarely falls off ball carriers.

• Mental Toughness: Played through a nagging knee injury for the majority of the 2025 season to lead his team to a 12-0 record.

Weaknesses

• Physical Upside: At 6'1", 233 lbs, he lacks the prototypical size and length that GMs prioritize in the first round.

• Top-End Speed: He can be outrun to the edge by elite 4.4 speedsters. His Pursuit is based on angles and intelligence rather than raw burn.

• Block Deconstruction: Can get "swallowed" by double teams. He needs to win with quickness because he lacks the sheer power to "bull through" NFL-sized guards.

Scheme Fit: Ideal MIKE in a 4-3 or a high-IQ depth piece in a 3-4.

NFL Comparison: T.J. Edwards / Josey Jewell

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 15/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 16/20 | IQ: 20/20

Final Grade: 89/100

Aiden Fisher is the "safe" pick of the mid-rounds. He might not have the "freak" athleticism of a Harold Perkins, but he will never be out of position. He is a high-floor prospect who provides immediate value on special teams and has the mental makeup to be a starting signal-caller in the NFL. His performance against Oregon showed he can compete with elite talent, but his physical limitations likely cap his ceiling.

Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round