If you have tuned into an Indiana game during the second half of the season, you have probably heard the name Charlie Becker. Indiana’s sophomore wideout has gone from a rotational receiver to one of the Hoosiers’ most dynamic playmakers.
His emergence became unavoidable after starting receiver Elijah Sarratt went down in Week 10 against Maryland. With extra snaps available, Becker stepped in and delivered. He had just six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in Indiana’s first eight games of the season. Since Week 10, he has reeled in 24 receptions for 509 yards and three scores, providing a consistent spark and becoming a trusted option for quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
That trust has not come out of nowhere. Becker and Mendoza are not only teammates but roommates, a setup that has paid dividends as their connection has accelerated both on and off the field.
“Fernando, he’s a great guy,” Becker said. “I’ve had some of my favorite memories [since] I’ve been in that house living with him and Quinn [Warren], the punter and kicker, and Mario [Landino], our d-lineman, and [Fernando’s] brother Alberto. We play 2v2 FIFA every single day when we get home from practice, and me and Fernando have had a lot of movie nights together.”
From FIFA battles to late-night movie sessions, the two have built a genuine friendship. They share a love for Star Wars and Becker claims to be a huge fan of Revenge of the Sith. One of their roommates, Mario Landino, recently put them on to Black Mirror and Becker admitted he was quickly hooked.
The house itself has become a hub for Indiana’s locker room culture. Becker said teammates will often drop by for dinner or to hang out, giving players a space to relax, connect, and build chemistry away from football.
“I think that’s been a good part of building this team’s camaraderie,” Becker said. “Having all these guys that are super close and we’ll have other guys from the team come over and we’ll have a big dinner or something like that. It’s been a great time.”
On the field, Becker has turned into a reliable playmaker with a knack for highlight grabs. When asked for his favorite catch of the season, he just smiled and said, “the next one.”
Indiana fans should get to see plenty more. Becker plans to return for the 2026 season and figures to take on an even larger role as the Hoosiers look to terrorize Big Ten defenses with Becker and former Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh out wide.
The future is bright in Bloomington, but for now the focus is on tomorrow. Becker and the Hoosiers are one day away from playing for a national championship in Miami, a fitting stage for one of the team’s rising stars.