Memorial Day is one of the first milestones for the college football preseason and a time when national preview magazines hit the shelves at your local or online bookstores. Athlon Sports was the first to publish its preseason preview magazine and announce its preseason All-American teams. Six Indiana Hoosiers appeared on Athlon’s preseason All-American teams.
First Team All-American (Athlon)
OT Carter Smith
Smith returns to anchor what is expected to be another excellent offensive line. He missed all of spring practice recovering from a labrum tear that required surgery, but is expected to be ready for fall camp.
The redshirt senior has played in 43 games (41 starts) in his IU career and took home Big Ten offensive lineman of the year honors in 2025.
DT Tyrique Tucker
Tucker ended the 2025 season on several All-American lists and will start 2026 in the same fashion. Tucker, who is built like a fire hydrant, will be in the middle of the Hoosier defensive line once again. Last season he played in all 16 games and made 40 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
LB Rolijah Hardy
The rise to stardom for Rolijah Hardy has been impressive. The Hoosiers brought him in from Navy Prep and a kind of afterthought. Hardy has played in every one of the 29 games in his IU career and started every game in 2025. He led the Hoosiers with 102 tackles and 15 tackles for loss last season.
Second Team All-American (Athlon)
WR Charlie Becker
Becker was Indiana’s best receiver down the stretch and in the postseason. He has all the tools one needs to be a first-round NFL Draft pick in the 2027 draft. After earning the trust of the staff on special teams as a freshman, Becker made the most of his chances filling in for banged-up starters in the back half of the 2025 season. He was too good to keep off the field. Becker made 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns.
LB Isaiah Jones
A holdover from the Tom Allen Era, ‘Bones’ Jones has turned into the linebacker that people envisioned. Jones didn’t start the year on the field for the Hoosiers, but his play made Indiana adjust their personnel to put three linebackers on the field at once. Jones has also had a huge impact on special teams. He blocked a punt and recovered a blocked punt for the Hoosiers last season.
Safety Amare Ferrell
Once again, the Hoosiers will have an All-American caliber player at all three levels of the defense. Ferrell is another Allen Era talent who has reached his potential under Cignetti and his staff. Ferrell has played in 41 games as a Hoosier and has eight career interceptions.
The Indiana Hoosiers open the season on September 5th against the North Texas Mean Green at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
Fans can buy Athlon Sports’ 2026 College Football Preview Magazine here