Bold claim: Indiana’s 2026 NFL Draft scene is stacked with future pros, and the Hoosiers aren’t just riding a flash in the pan—they’re seeding a wave of capable NFL talents. If you’re an NFL fan, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Below you’ll find a fresh, uniquely worded overview of Indiana football players who could hear their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with several others who might sign as undrafted free agents. I’ve kept the core facts intact while expanding explanations and adding context to help newcomers grasp what makes these players intriguing prospects. Feel free to drop questions in the comments and join the discussion. (If you’re visiting from an NFL team site and are logged in, you don’t need a new account.)
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Indiana players with potential 2026 NFL Draft outcomes
Here’s a roster of Hoosiers who have a real shot at being drafted in 2026, with notes on their backgrounds and what scouts might be weighing.
QB Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza is widely viewed as a top NFL Draft candidate and is commonly projected to join the Las Vegas Raiders with a high pick, including a possibility of claim to No. 1 overall. He transferred to Indiana after three seasons at Cal, where he started for two years. In 2025, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and led the nation with 41 passing touchdowns, while throwing only six interceptions. At 6’5”, his height and frame give him a clear field vision. Indiana’s offense allowed Mendoza to thrive with a mix of designed runs (RPOs) and downfield throws, and he improved in every start as the season progressed.
WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Cooper Jr. is one of Indiana’s homegrown talents, committing to the Hoosiers out of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and staying throughout his college career. He emerged as Indiana’s top target at wide receiver in 2025, following a strong 2024. Cooper Jr. excels at beating press coverage off the line and turning short catches into meaningful yards after the catch, combining strength and elusiveness. He’s made numerous acrobatic receptions and consistently shows NFL-caliber tools.
WR Elijah Sarratt
Sarratt joined Indiana from James Madison ahead of the 2024 season, reuniting with head coach Curt Cignetti and wide receivers coach/offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan (not the former NFL coach). He spent one season with the Dukes before transferring from St. Francis (PA). In 2024, Sarratt led Indiana in receiving and finished just behind Cooper Jr. in 2025, despite missing time with a minor injury. Like Cooper Jr., he wins routes at the line, racks up yards after contact, and uses his solid frame to box out defenders for tougher catches.
CB D’Angelo Ponds
Ponds joined Indiana for the 2024 season after earning FWAA Freshman All-America honors at James Madison. Size is often a talking point here—Ponds sits around 5’9” to 5’11” and would typically be categorized as a slot defender. Yet his college track record has him drawing coverage duties against outside receivers. He compensates for height with high football IQ, physicality, and reliable overall play. Indiana leaned on Ponds in critical moments, and he delivered. Notably, he forced a fumble on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson during a Rose Bowl drive for the Crimson Tide.
S Louis Moore
Moore originally left Indiana when Cignetti was hired, transferring to Ole Miss for 2024 before returning to Bloomington for 2025. He has a knack for arriving on time to make plays, routinely finding opportunities to impact the ball when thrown his way.
EDGE Mikail Kamara
Kamara is another JMU transfer who found production in the Sun Belt before moving to the Big Ten in 2024. Some observers point to a dip in production from 2024 to 2025 as a potential red flag, but the bigger picture matters: Kamara posted 10 sacks in 2024 and shifted roles in 2025 to a “stud” edge position with occasional outside linebacker duties. He was among the Big Ten’s most productive pass rushers, leading the conference in quarterback pressures. He could fit nicely into a team’s pass rush rotation, following a path similar to other standout college edge players who matured into NFL contributors.
LB Aiden Fisher
Fisher joined Indiana ahead of the 2025 season and has been developing into a versatile linebacker whose play improves coverage and run defense alike.
IOL Pat Coogan
Coogan transferred from Notre Dame to Indiana for the 2025 season, stepping into a starting center role on the Hoosiers’ offensive line. His experience and leadership at center could appeal to NFL scouts prioritizing interior line stability.
RB Kaelon Black
Black started for James Madison in 2023 and became Indiana’s third option at running back in 2024. He brings a blend of power and burst that teams look for in a rotational back who can contribute in the run game and in passing routes.
RB Roman Hemby
Hemby moved to Indiana for the 2025 season after several productive years at Maryland, bringing home-state familiarity and proven versatility as a multi-year contributor in a major conference.
TE Riley Nowakowski
Nowakowski transferred to Indiana ahead of the 2025 season after spending most of his college career at Wisconsin, where he played under coaches Paul Chryst and Luke Fickell. His experience as a versatile tight end, capable of blocking and receiving, could be appealing to NFL schemes that use versatile personnel.
S Devan Boykin
Boykin joined Indiana for the 2025 season after a lengthy tenure at NC State and sat out 2024 due to injury. If he regains form, his depth and athleticism in the secondary could translate well to professional play.
Other Indiana players who could reach the NFL
- TE Holden Staes
- OT Zen Michalski
- WR E.J. Williams
Thought-provoking note for fans and followers
Indiana’s 2026 draft picture is layered with players who can adapt to multiple roles and schemes, which often improves their draft stock. As you weigh each prospect, consider how much scheme fit, development trajectory, and game-level performance weigh against raw measurables. Do you prioritize a player’s college versatility, game tape under a specific coordinator, or measurable tools like height, speed, and agility? Which Hoosier would you stake your view on for a breakout NFL career, and why? Share your takes in the comments—and tell us what additional context you’d like, such as deeper game-film analysis or comparison notes to similar NFL players.
Note: This overview preserves the core information and intent of the original content while presenting it in a fresh, beginner-friendly style. The intent is to inform fans, spark discussion, and highlight how Indiana’s 2026 prospects could translate to the NFL stage.
