The IU football program is coming off one of its more special weekends that doesn’t involve a real football game. The Hoosiers wrapped up spring practice with 22,000 fans in Memorial Stadium, saw multiple five-star recruits on campus and a school record eight Hoosiers were selected in the NFL Draft. If you missed it, here’s a recap.
IU Spring Game Continues the Vibes from 2025
A reported 22,000 fans showed up to Memorial Stadium on a perfect Thursday evening to take in IU’s spring football game. Fans flocked to parking lots early to tailgate and get a picture with the trophies IU acquired during the 2025 run to the College Football Playoff National Championship. People wanted to recapture the vibes from 2025, and they did.
One of the coolest parts of the spring game was the slow rumbling of cheers as fans started to learn that Fernando Mendoza was officially selected with the number one pick, becoming Indiana’s first, first overall pick since 1938 and first round one selection since 1994. IU could not show the pick live due to NFL rules, but the moment was still cool.
For the game itself, it provided a glimpse into the future for some players, while also leaving much to be desired. Coach Cignetti said multiple times on the broadcast and in the postgame press conference that the fall will look different for IU, and it will as impact players return from injury.
It was mission accomplished for the spring game. IU engaged the fans both before and during the game and got through the 30-minute live scrimmage with no major injuries.
Record-Setting NFL Draft for IU Football
The IU football program was not finished for the weekend after Thursday night’s spring game. The weekend was dedicated to celebrating members of the 2025 team, taking the next step in their football journey. As a program, IU had a number of firsts in this year’s draft.
- A program-record eight former Hoosiers were selected. It surpassed the previous high of seven set back in 1976.
- IU had two first-round selections (Mendoza and Omar Cooper) for the first time in program history.
- Indiana had multiple wideouts selected on the same draft for just the second time in program history. The only other occurrence was in 1970, when Jade Butcher (6th, Atlanta) and Eric Stolberg (17th, LA Raiders) were both selected.
Not only was it fun to see all of these players selected, but it also happened during a time when IU had some of the most highly-rated recruits in the country on campus. A large group of recruits was in for the spring game and saw Mendoza celebrated on the scoreboard, while about a dozen prospects took their official visit over the weekend and saw six more Hoosiers selected.
Star Recruits Descend on Bloomington
IU’s coaching staff hosted a star-studded list of visitors for official visits this weekend, including five-star prospects Monshun Sales, Landen Williams-Callis and Jalen Brewster. From the feedback I have gotten and social media posts, it looks as if it all went well. t
The Hoosiers solidified their commitment with Monsanna Torbert and had quarterback Jameson Purcell, who committed last summer, in as well.
Time will tell how impactful their visits were, but there was no better time to be in Bloomington as a recruit. It showed them what had been done, where it could lead and what the future might look like in cream and crimson.