Caden Curry is coming back home. The new Indianapolis Colts edge rusher grew up in the Indy area, but left to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Now, after being a sixth-round 2026 draft pick by the Colts, Curry will be playing for his favorite NFL team.
If there was any doubt about the latter, he put the thought to rest when speaking with FOX 59 after he was selected. The edge rusher wasn't just saying all the right words; he was dressed correctly, too.
He wore a Peyton Manning jersey, and will get the chance to get Indianapolis back near the place it was when the legendary quarterback was with the team. The Colts haven't made the playoffs since 2020 nor won the AFC South since 2014.
Caden Curry said all the right things after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts
Curry told the TV station that it was "surreal" to be back where he grew up in hopes of helping the somewhat struggling organization rebuild.
He added, "All the way from being a little kid going to the Combine and just being able to watch all these great players before me. I was the Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis fan growing up, two defensive ends that got me to want to play this position...I just can’t wait to do it in the city that I grew up in and just to be able to do it for all the people around me that always believed in me."
What would be better than a hometown hero making good, leaving for a bitter rival in college (though one Indiana dispatched quite happily last season on its way to a national championship), only to return as a potential savior of Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen's sinking ship? Nothing as far as football is concerned, right?
Curry was exceedingly productive at Ohio State in 2025. He was named Second-Team All-Big Ten after accumulating 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. The issue was that he was only a one-year starter and wasn't productive before that.
Still, Chris Ballard choosing him in the sixth round is not a bad thing. The general manager understands what Curry's selection means to local fans, and no great risk is involved in such a late-round choice. It is up to Caden Curry to prove he deserves to play with the Colts moving forward.
Despite his production last year, the edge rusher wasn't expected to go until late in the draft. He is a bit undersized at 6'2 3/4" and 257 pounds, and lacks elite athleticism. He also needs to refine his technique when pressuring passers and not be pushed outside by offensive linemen.
The hope is he can learn that quickly in Indy. The Center Grove product would be a longtime fan favorite for the Indianapolis Colts, and let's hope he reaches that level.
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