BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football reloaded for 2026 after winning the national title.
The Hoosiers reeled in the No. 9 ranked transfer class in the country with four players ranked in the top 100, according to 247 Sports rankings.
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While IU graduated plenty of key contributors — replacing Heisman Trophy Fernando Mendoza won’t be easy — and had a pair of starters (D’Angelo Ponds and Omar Cooper Jr.) enter the NFL Draft with eligibility left, Indiana brings back double-digit starters from last season.
Here’s an initial projection of IU’s depth chart on offense for 2026:
More: Curt Cignetti among highest paid college football coaches. See new IU football contract
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) heads in during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates with Amare Ferrell (1) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jonathan Brady (0) makes a long return during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Hoosier the Bison decends to the field before the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) and Aiden Fisher (4) celebrate a sack of Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom (2) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a touchdown to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Alberto Mendoza (16) and Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate Alberto’s touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kellan Wyatt (13) celebrates his tackle of Kennesaw State’s Alexander Diggs (3) for a loss during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Roman Hemby (1) )before the start of the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Amari Kamara (44) before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates his sack of Indiana State’s Keegan Patterson (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Pat Coogan (78) warming up before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) sacks Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) catches a touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack of Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Kellen Wyatt (13)celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Khobe Martin (28) makes faces at the camera after his touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) picks up a blocked punt during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) before the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) scores a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) tackles Michigan State’s Makhi Frazier (5) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) celebrates a first down during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti leads the team on the field during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Carter Smith (65) heads to student section after the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana students celebrate during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) catches a touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) heads in for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) returns an interception for a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates Hosea Wheeler’s (0) fumble recovery during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Devan Boykin (12) celebrates a tackle during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava (9) during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) makes the catch during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the BIg Noon Kickoff before the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe (22 celebrates a stop during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) dives as he and Mario Landino (97) work to recover a fumble during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) celebrates his fumble recovery during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) runs ffor a touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti holds up the number one to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) in the pocket during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates a touchdown catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Stephen Daley (8) pressures Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (10) during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Louis Moore (7) celebrates with Aiden Fisher (4) and Isaiah Jones (46) after his interception during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) celebrates his first down catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kahlil Benson (67) and his family embrace and celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the MVP trophy after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) scores a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) is tackled by Miami’s Romanas O.J. Frederique Jr. (29) during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignett hoists the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) an D’Angelo Ponds (5) kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks with his team as they grab the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) and Khobie Martin (28) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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The scoreboard after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Quarterback
The addition of Hoover means there will be little QB1 drama in spring camp. TCU’s former quarterback is the most productive returning starter in the country — he’s thrown for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns — and he came to Bloomington to pick up the baton from Fernando Mendoza. The backup spot has more intrigue with Tyler Cherry back in the fold and Grant Wilson opting to return. Wilson gets the edge ahead of spring camp since he’s healthy and has a significant experience advantage.
Indiana’s Khobie Martin (28) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Running back
Khobie Martin OR Lee Beebe Jr.
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It should be clear by now that Curt Cignetti prefers a running back by committee approach. There should be enough carries to give all three backs plenty of opportunities. Martin was mostly used in a mop-up role last year, but he still managed to put up 78 carries for 505 yards with six touchdowns next to a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. The redshirt freshman actually had more carries for 20-plus yards (seven) than Roman Hemby did (four) on 152 fewer carries.
Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) celebrates with Carter Smith (65) on a touchdown that was ruled down before the endzone during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Wide receiver
Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker, Shazz Preston
Tyler Morris, LeBron Bond and Davion Chandler
Indiana would easily be able to claim it had the top receiver room in the country if Cooper came back. The Hoosiers should still be in the mix for that designation with the way Charlie Becker emerged as one of the most reliable receivers in the country during the CFP run last year along with the addition of Marsh, who joins an offense that will be better able to take advantage of his skill set, and Shazz Preston. It’s a room with a nice mix of veterans and young guns (Bond and Kendrick) as well.
Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Adedamola Ajani (72) and running back Khobie Martin (28) react after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.
Offensive line
Carter Smith (LT), Joe Brunner (LG), Drew Evans (C), Bray Lynch (RG), Adedamola Ajani (RT)
Ben Novak (LT) Evan Parker (LG), Austin Leibfried (C), Matt Marek (RG), Baylor Wilkin (RT)
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Indiana’s experience on the offensive line is big reason why there’s high expectations surrounding Josh Hoover. He will line up behind a group with four multi-year starters, including the Big Ten’s reigning Offensive Lineman of the Year. The projected first-team line has combined for 119 career starts and the least experienced member of the unit (Adedamola Ajani) played key snaps last year throughout the postseason. The biggest question mark is what the interior of the line will look like with the addition of Wisconsin left guard Joe Brunner. Drew Evans sliding over to center would keep Brunner and Lynch at their most-experienced positions, but don’t rule out Lynch ending up in that spot. With four incoming true freshman, IU’s second-team group could end up looking a lot different going into the season.
Indiana’s Andrew Barker (85) makes a catch during spring football practice on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Tight end
Blake Thiry OR Andrew Barker
Indiana not pursuing an experienced tight end out of the transfer portal was a surprise. The Hoosiers landed Miami transfer Brock Schott, but he only played 16 snaps as a true freshman last season. Blake Thiry and Andrew Barker will get a head start on landing the starting role with Schott (hip) expected to miss spring camp.
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Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Projecting Indiana football’s depth chart on offense or 2026 season