After a historic 2025, Indiana football begins its quest to repeat last season’s success. Indiana claimed its first national championship in program history and became the first team in the modern college football era to finish 16-0.
But the Hoosiers’ roster construction will look different in 2026 with key losses on both sides of the ball, including reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree D’Angelo Ponds.
Head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff reloaded Indiana’s 2026 roster, adding 17 players through the transfer portal.
The Indiana Daily Student’s two football reporters and columnist provided their player predictions for the upcoming season, set to kick off at noon Sept. 5 against the University of North Texas.
Offensive player of the year
Conor Banks: Josh Hoover transferred to Indiana after spending four seasons at Texas Christian University, and upon doing so, Hoover met his two new best friends –– a strong defense and run game. At least, that’s what Cignetti said in the spring. He also met Indiana’s quarterback-friendly system under Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, which paved the way for the success of Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza before him. Hoover threw for over 3,400 yards in each of his last two seasons as the starting quarterback at TCU, and I expect him to be in Heisman conversations this season.
Nathan Shriberg: In the back half of Indiana's 16-0 season, nobody was more clutch than now-junior wide receiver Charlie Becker. And he did it with two 2026 NFL Draft picks ahead of him. With Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. out of the way, Charlie B from Nashville, Tennessee, should have no trouble occupying the spotlight as Hoover's top target down the field.
Elakai Anela: With Cooper and Sarratt in the NFL and E.J. Williams Jr. out of eligibility, junior transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh enters the fold as the No. 1 receiving option alongside Becker. Last season at Michigan State, Marsh played all 12 games and recorded 662 receiving yards, averaging 55 yards per game and leading the Spartans in receiving yards. Now in Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s system, the Detroit native is poised to break out like Becker did in the second half of last season. Following Becker’s late season success, teams will likely play tighter and pay more attention to him, leaving Marsh opportunities in the middle of the field.
Defensive player of the year
Banks: Indiana’s secondary enters the season with uncertainty. Sophomore Byron Baldwin Jr. is set to see more playing time after appearing in just eight games last season, while the No. 2 defensive back position appears undecided. However, one constant in the starting secondary this season will be senior safety Amare Ferrell, who ranked second on the team with four interceptions in 2025 and led the Hoosiers with four two years ago. With a defensive front projected to be one of the best in the nation, Ferrell will be the focal point and leader of the Hoosiers’ secondary, which could make or break their defensive potential.
Shriberg: Redshirt senior linebacker Isaiah "Bones" Jones made a name for himself in 2025 as a stellar tackler and turnover machine. After racking up 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 2025, he's primed for an even bigger 2026. Jones will succeed Aiden Fisher and wear the green dot while playing behind an improved defensive front that will be one of the nation's best, even without fifth-year senior edge rushers Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt.
Anela: Indiana’s front four was one of the best in the nation last year. Even without some of the same faces coming back, there are two returners that stand out to me: redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker and junior defensive lineman Mario Landino. I firmly believe both will continue to be stellar this season, but Tucker will have a greater impact due to his pass rushing ability. Last season, the 6-foot, 305-pound interior defensive lineman earned the Associated Press’ third-team All American honors after posting 40 tackles, 12 TFL’s, six sacks and two pass deflections.
Breakout player
Banks: One could argue redshirt sophomore running back Khobie Martin broke out last season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances against Indiana State University and Illinois. However, he was largely limited to a “garbage-time” role when Indiana was up big in games. With last season’s lead rushers Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black exhausting their collegiate eligibility, I expect Martin to see more playing time in the earlier portions of games this year and break out as a consistent force in the running game.
Shriberg: Defensive backs are a rare wildcard for the Hoosiers. Departing safeties Louis Moore and Devan Boykin left a chasm at the back end of the defense. Byron Baldwin Jr. struggled with injury last season, but the former four-star recruit will have plenty of opportunities to make an immediate impact and seize a starting safety spot in his sophomore campaign.
Anela: The top WR options after Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are up in the air. However, I think redshirt senior wide receiver Shazz Preston has the best shot of winning the No. 3 option and could shine in first-down or second-and-short scenarios in Shanahan’s scheme. Last year at Tulane University, the 6-foot wide receiver appeared in 14 games with 13 starts. He tallied 43 catches, 723 receiving yards — which led the Green Wave — and four touchdowns.
Newcomer of the year
Banks: Indiana’s defensive front was dominant last season, tying for second in the nation with 45 sacks, while leading with 128 TFL’s. Although it remains to be seen if Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt will be eligible to play in 2026, Cignetti and his staff revamped the Hoosiers’ defensive front with the addition of fifth-year senior edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi through the portal. Osunsanmi played in just six games last year before sustaining an undisclosed season-ending injury. Yet, he recorded six TFL’s and four sacks for the Wildcats. If he stays healthy, Osunsanmi is a solid bet to lead the Hoosiers in sacks.
Shriberg: Never underestimate the power of a consistent offensive line. Fifth-year senior Joe Brunner transferred from Wisconsin, where he started 24 games at left guard over the past two seasons. Cignetti trusts him anywhere on the line, and he'll slide to right tackle next to redshirt sophomore right guard Adedamola Ajani. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Brunner will provide much needed stability opposite 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year redshirt senior Carter Smith. Cignetti prioritizes the run game, and Brunner unlocks the right side for the Hoosiers' rushing trio.
Anela: Aside from redshirt senior defensive back Jamari Sharpe, there’s a battle for the last starting cornerback position between senior A.J. Harris and redshirt senior Ryland Gandy. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said Monday that Harris “tweaked” his knee and missed “a couple” practices in the last week, but he is expected to be back soon. While the competition might bleed into the start of the regular season, Harris brings more experience to the field. The former University of Georgia and Penn State player has started 26 career collegiate games, recording 89 total tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and six pass deflections across three seasons. Teams will likely try to steer clear of Sharpe after his breakout year last season, which will leave Harris more vulnerable, but he should be able to stand strong in the secondary.
Under the radar player to watch
Banks: Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh hold the spotlight in Indiana’s wide receiver room. ESPN’s latest 2027 mock draft projected both to be first-round selections next year. Fifth-year senior receiver Tyler Morris figures to replace Omar Cooper Jr. in the starting slot position, but sophomore receiver Davion Chandler is also poised to see playing time in the slot. Chandler, who was one of 12 true freshmen to appear in a game for Indiana last season, is an explosive receiver. His lone catch in 2025 resulted in a 65-yard touchdown against Purdue. Cignetti has praised Chandler in fall camp, and Preston will also be in the mix in the slot, but don’t be surprised if Chandler makes a consistent impact in the pass game.
Shriberg: No Hoosier position group has less returning production than tight ends. Riley Nowakowski, Holden Staes and James Bomba exhausted their eligibility, leaving redshirt freshman Andrew Barker, who appeared in just one game, as the lone returner who’s seen the field. With two games under his belt, redshirt freshman transfer Brock Schott is the veteran of the group. The Fort Wayne native arrived at the University of Miami last season as a four-star recruit and the No. 5 prospect in the state. With no frontrunner in the room, Schott should win the top spot on the depth chart and be a key contributor to the offense.
Anela: While the running back room has yet to be sorted out, I anticipate there will be a running-back-by-committee approach. The Hoosiers’ group features Boston College junior transfer Turbo Richard, redshirt senior Lee Beebe Jr. and Khobie Martin. Last season, Beebe suffered a non-contact, season-ending knee injury in Week 3, leaving Martin as the third back behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Martin still posted 506 yards and six touchdowns on 77 rushing attempts in 14 games — even though most of those carries came toward the end of blowouts. Despite having stiff competition in the running back room again, the Fishers, Indiana, native should get more touches this season, leading to more production behind a revamped offensive line.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
