Indiana Transfer DL Hosea Wheeler Signs with Baylor, Awaits Eligibility Ruling

Wow, a defensive prospect who isn't undersized. This would be a good pick up. Hope the ruling works in our favor

um this might just be an elite pickup

Now this is a portal addition we can get excited about. I hope he gets that extra year.

Going from a natty year to well, who knows. Must ask why? Mo money?

ImABearToo said:

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Going from a natty year to well, who knows. Must ask why? Mo money?

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His eligibility has expired. I assume Indiana doesn't have a spot for him.

Dia del DougO said:

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He is awaiting the ruling on Diego Pavia's lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that JUCO seats count towards a player's five-year eligibility since he played his freshman season at Sacramento City College.
If that passes, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

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So he may not even be eligible?

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A precedent has already been set here with Diego Pavia (and others).

I would be surprised if the doesn't get that JUCO season back.

Pulling prospects that don't even have eligibility? I guess

bear2be2 said:

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Dia del DougO said:

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Quote:

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He is awaiting the ruling on Diego Pavia's lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that JUCO seats count towards a player's five-year eligibility since he played his freshman season at Sacramento City College.
If that passes, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

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So he may not even be eligible?

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A precedent has already been set here with Diego Pavia (and others).

I would be surprised if the doesn't get that JUCO season back.

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Has Pavia won an extra year? I've not heard he has.

I hope he is allowed to play. I guess Indiana had better options, or didn't want to deal with the uncertainty.

Below is the AI take on the situation.

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Diego Pavia filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over rules counting his junior college (JUCO) time against his Division I eligibility clock, winning a preliminary injunction that allowed him to play the 2025 season at Vanderbilt. The broader class-action lawsuit is ongoing, even as Pavia prepares for the NFL draft.

Overview of the Lawsuit

• Core Argument: The lawsuit argues that NCAA bylaws counting seasons at non-NCAA institutions (like JUCOs) violate federal antitrust laws by unfairly limiting the time players have to compete at the Division I level and capitalize on name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities.
• Key Development: In December 2024, a U.S. District Court judge granted Pavia a preliminary injunction, allowing him an extra year of eligibility for the 2025 season.
• NCAA Response: The NCAA appealed the injunction but also issued a blanket waiver for the 2025-26 academic year, which allowed all similarly situated former JUCO players an extra year of eligibility. This move led an appeals court to dismiss the NCAA's appeal as moot in October 2025, leaving the original injunction intact.
• Current Status: Pavia's legal team is continuing the class-action lawsuit to challenge the NCAA's four-season limit and other eligibility rules more broadly for future athletes, citing inconsistent application of rules (e.g., allowing a former NBA draft pick to play college basketball). Though Pavia has indicated he will enter the 2026 NFL Draft and does not plan to play another college season, the lawsuit remains significant for other players.

AI responses may include mistakes. For legal advice, consult a professional.

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I googled the Diego Pavia lawsuit. Looks like that is to come before the judge on February 10. Issue is how to calculate junior college years as applied to total eligibility. Well done to our football staff for signing this fantastic pick up!

This kid is a big time talent, and this move seems like a no-risk bet with a potentially massive payoff.

Hope our ((Defensive Genius)) doesn't ruin his talent.

Mitch Blood Green said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Dia del DougO said:

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Quote:

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He is awaiting the ruling on Diego Pavia's lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that JUCO seats count towards a player's five-year eligibility since he played his freshman season at Sacramento City College.
If that passes, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

---

So he may not even be eligible?

---

A precedent has already been set here with Diego Pavia (and others).

I would be surprised if the doesn't get that JUCO season back.

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Has Pavia wine an extra year? I've not heard he has.

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He announced he is going pro

W

Mitch Blood Green said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Dia del DougO said:

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Quote:

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He is awaiting the ruling on Diego Pavia's lawsuit challenging the NCAA rules that JUCO seats count towards a player's five-year eligibility since he played his freshman season at Sacramento City College.
If that passes, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

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So he may not even be eligible?

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A precedent has already been set here with Diego Pavia (and others).

I would be surprised if the doesn't get that JUCO season back.

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Has Pavia wine an extra year? I've not heard he has.

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Pavia already gained an extra year in 2024 when a federal court first ruled on JUCO years impacting a player's eligibility.

That was the precedent I was referring to.

Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

Smashmouth said:

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Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

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Yeah, my first thought was why is he leaving a national championship team to go to Baylor. Even though they are losing key players, they have momentum and likely will attract replacements that want to jump on board.

Smashmouth said:

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Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

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Indiana probably has the money to do better than this guy if I'm being honest. But at least he's a two time all conference player at a previous stop.

Bearknuckle said:

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This kid is a big time talent, and this move seems like a no-risk bet with a potentially massive payoff.

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Big Time talent based on what - - ? He played at UI? His production was 50% less than previous year, snap count way down...Now football is following basketball idea of bring in guys with no eligibility left or former prospect who can't even get minutes against TCU vaulted defense.

I guess we just need to keep throwing stuff against the wall and at some point - stuff will stick and we will run with it. It worked with our HC hiring ....

Way better than anything we have now....unfortunately

that's what i like to hear!

Now that's what I call internal improvements

Anybody that has even walked into Indiana's practice would be an improvement over anybody Bu has. The production probably slipped bc he was passed by some of the best college d-lineman in the country as Indiana's line play took it up another level from 24'.

Still a potential better player than anybody we have here (agree, that isn't a good thing).

If anything, hopefully he doesn't let his standards fall to David's level. He learned more in a day with their program than he'll learn in a year here. If he can largely ignore Dave and play his game.. should be decently productive.

Hopefully Dave won't be anywhere near the Defense since we have a real DC now...

Dia del DougO said:

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Smashmouth said:

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Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

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Yeah, my first thought was why is he leaving a national championship team to go to Baylor. Even though they are losing key players, they have momentum and likely will attract replacements that want to jump on board.

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Probably because he can make more money elsewhere. He has his national title. This is his chance for one final payday before he joins the real world.

Quinton said:

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Anybody that has even walked into Indiana's practice would be an improvement over anybody Bu has. The production probably slipped bc he was passed by some of the best college d-lineman in the country as Indiana's line play took it up another level from 24'.

Still a potential better player than anybody we have here (agree, that isn't a good thing).

If anything, hopefully he doesn't let his standards fall to David's level. He learned more in a day with their program than he'll learn in a year here. If he can largely ignore Dave and play his game.. should be decently productive.

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Indiana had the talent and depth up front to mix, match and keep guys fresh.

As posted above, this dude's numbers were really good for an interior lineman, particularly given his snap count.

This guy would be a massive upgrade over anything we have on campus and have gotten in the portal so far.

I get being unhappy with our current football situation. I am, too. But those ****ting on talented players because they don't like Dave Aranda look silly IMO. This is a really good pickup if he gets an extra year of eligibility. He would improve both our starting defense and our depth, as those we've added before him can slot into more fitting roles.

Smashmouth said:

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Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

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wooooo!

- UF

{ sipping coffee }

D!

Smashmouth said:

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Why isn't Indiana trying to get him an extra year of eligibility or are we trying to pay him more than IU? All this stuff is interesting if nothing else. My other guess is he can make more $ in college than signing a rookie deal in the NFL? Weird times in college sports.

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I assume they don't have a spot. I'd rather a redshirt sophomore than a 6th year senior.

#SIC’EM 🐻💚 pic.twitter.com/ViTwcEgQvn

— hosea wheeler (@HoseaWheelerJr) February 7, 2026

this should be a good sign!

Bearsalwayswin said:

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this should be a good sign!

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That was my first thought

Bearsalwayswin said:

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this should be a good sign!

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I hope so. I think he's the best chance we've had at having a difference-making interior lineman since Ika.

This is the first D-lineman we've had in a while that I've been really excited about.