Written by: TJ Inman
2024 was a milestone and memorable season for the Indiana Hoosiers. Curt Cignetti’s first season in Bloomington resulted in a stunning 11-1 regular season record with the lone loss coming in Columbus against eventual National Champion Ohio State. Indiana made the College Football Playoff and battled Notre Dame before falling in South Bend and ending the season at 11-2. It was a school-record for wins and Curt Cignetti was honored as the National Coach of the Year. As IU begins preparations for the 2025 campaign, there is an unprecedented amount of attention on the program. Hoosier Huddle is gearing up for the spring with individual position group previews.
Today, we examine the wide receiver room. After multiple years of what could be charitably described as “underwhelming”, the Hoosiers changed the personnel in the room and dramatically improved. That came despite only two receptions from Donaven McCulley as the talented athlete left the program and eventually transferred to Michigan for the 2025 campaign. Myles Price, Ke’Shawn Williams and Miles Cross combined for 104 receptions and more than 1,200 yards and that trio will be very difficult to replace but there is a general belief in the coaching staff and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offensive system to produce a high-quality group of receivers again in 2025.
Losses
Myles Price – 38 receptions for 466 yards with three touchdowns
Ke’Shawn Williams – 39 receptions for 448 yards with five touchdowns
Miles Cross – 27 receptions for 324 yards with four touchdowns
Andison Coby – 3 receptions for 70 yards with one touchdown
Donaven McCulley – 2 receptions for 21 yards with one touchdown
Newcomers
Tyler Morris – transfer from Michigan
Makai Jackson – transfer from Appalachian State
LeBron Bond – freshman
Davion Chandler – freshman
Myles Kendrick – freshman
Two-deep
Indiana’s most often used base formation on offense featured three receivers on the field with one tight end and a running back. There is no reason to think that will change so this two-deep will project three starting wide receivers. The first two starting receivers are very easy to figure out and can be written down in permanent marker while the third starting receiver and everything after that is much more difficult to project.
Starter – Elijah Sarratt – Senior
The unquestioned number one target for the Hoosiers will be returning All-Big Ten receiver Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt had 53 receptions for 957 and eight touchdowns, all team-high numbers. Knowledgeable fans were excited when the Hoosiers landed Sarratt from James Madison and everyone quickly learned why his addition was such a big deal. He does not have elite quickness but Sarratt makes up for that with top-notch route running and fantastic ball skills. Over and over again, Kurtis Rourke connected with Elijah Sarratt on back-shoulder throws that just befuddled opposing defensive backs all season. This spring will be important for Sarratt to establish chemistry on-field with new quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Starter – Omar Cooper – Junior
Omar Cooper only had 28 catches during the 2024 season but his impact was way beyond his numbers would suggest. Cooper averaged 21.21 yards per catch and became an explosive option that scored on 25% of his receptions. Cooper was massive against Maryland (83 yards and a critical touchdown) and scored in the College Football Playoff against Notre Dame. Can his volume increase while maintaining his explosiveness and efficiency?
Starter (Slot) – Tyler Morris
We’ve seen Curt Cignetti work wonders with lower-level players stepping up to the Big Ten after being extremely productive. Tyler Morris is a different sort of transfer but IU is hoping they found an under-utilized gem. Morris was a highly-touted recruit that committed to Michigan and he flashed his speed and athleticism in 2023 with a gigantic touchdown catch and run against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines’ passing offense was woeful in 2024 and Morris suffered as a result. This spring is vital for Tyler Morris to prove his worth after multiple seasons of mostly invisible play in Ann Arbor. On paper, his skillset is an awesome fit in this offense as he takes over the Ke’Shawn Williams/Myles Price role.
Rotation – Makai Jackson (transfer from Appalachian State), EJ Williams (returned from transfer portal), Charlie Becker (redshirt freshman), LeBron Bond (freshman)
The word that defines former Clemson wide receiver EJ Williams’ football career thus far is “if”. “If” Williams could stay healthy, “if” he had a full offseason, “if” he could be on the field for extended snaps…after entering the transfer portal during the 2024 season, EJ Williams asked Curt Cignetti for a chance to return and he was welcomed back into the locker room. That tells you he is highly thought of off the field and that the coaching staff believes he has the talent capable of helping the team as a backup to Elijah Sarratt. Of course, that is only “if” he can stay healthy. The best backup for Omar Cooper appears to be Makai Jackson, a former teammate of Elijah Sarratt’s at St. Francis (PA) in the FCS. He transferred to Appalachian State and showcased his speed in the Sun Belt with 745 yards in 2024 for the Mountaineers and a team-high five touchdowns. In the team’s final three games, he had 71 yards against Coastal Carolina, 162 yards against James Madison and 157 yards against Georgia Southern. Charlie Becker is well-thought of by the coaching staff and this is an important spring to establish his place in the rotation. He’s a big target at 6’4” and could be special on the outside with further development. Finally, LeBron Bond is going to have a role as a freshman. He might not play a ton but he’s a lightning-quick playmaker that I think will find his way on the field.
Depth – Davion Chandler (Freshman) and Myles Kendrick (Freshman)
The Hoosiers added three receivers in this freshman class. LeBron Bond is probably the most likely candidate to step up and provide a boost on the field in 2025 but Davion Chandler and Myles Kendrick are exciting prospects for the future. They are both shifty and quick receivers that check-in at 6’0”. They’ll need time to acclimate to the Big Ten.
Surprises
My mildly bold prediction is that Makai Jackson will be the most productive transfer receiver. The majority of the buzz and attention is centered around Michigan transfer Tyler Morris. Morris is a good addition but I profess to being a bit skeptical of his ability to replicate the work of Myles Price in 2025. Makai Jackson fits the mold of high-productivity and he was successful against some good defenses with Appalachian State. I am picking Makai Jackson to exceed 500 yards and scoring five touchdowns, leading IU’s transfer receivers.
Confidence Level
Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper are high-end wide receivers that are known commodities. The additions to the room look good on paper but the biggest reasons for optimism are as follows: Fernando Mendoza gives the Hoosiers a good quarterback to keep the offense humming and Mike Shanahan returns as offensive coordinator. As long as Shanahan and Curt Cignetti are in-charge of this attack, I see no reason to be anything other than confident about the production of the wide receivers in Bloomington.