In 2025, Indiana Football took the country by storm, solidifying one of the most memorable stories in recent sports history. Along this journey stood a Hoosier wide receiver room that was electric, productive, and simply captivating. Together, this group totaled 229 receptions for 3,149 yards, becoming a primary target for Fernando Mendoza. Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt led the charge with a combined total of 28 touchdown catches on the season. Cooper Jr. accumulated 69 receptions for 937 yards, averaging 13.6 yards per reception. Sarratt totaled 65 receptions for 830 yards, averaging 12.8 yards per reception.

The duo completed their careers at Bloomington ranked in the Top 20 all-time on Indiana’s career receiving list and in the Top 5 in career touchdown catches. Both Cooper Jr. and Sarratt have found their way to the National Football League, leaving a pretty significant hole behind. However, among this talent stood 6-foot-4 sophomore Charlie Becker, who emerged as an impressive and reliable deep threat in the 2025 season.

Becker will be entering his junior year this season and will rise into the leadership role Sarratt and Cooper Jr. left behind. With a good amount of returners in the wide receiver group this season, there will be a strong familiarity with Mike Shanahan’s offense, which will allow new players to adjust quickly to the standards Indiana expects. There are two additions through the transfer portal, including Nick Marsh of Michigan State and Shazz Preston of Tulane, as well as two freshman additions, Kortez Rupert and Lavar Keys.

It is always difficult to lose dominant wide receiver duos such as Cooper Jr. and Sarratt; it often changes the landscape of offensive production and forces teams to adjust. However, there is still great talent within this group led by Charlie Becker.

Expected Starters- WR

Charlie Becker- Junior/ Nashville, Tenn.

In 2025, Becker made quite the name for himself, becoming a consistent playmaker for the Hoosiers. He appeared in all 16 games with eight starts. Becker reeled in 34 receptions for 679 yards, averaging an astounding 20.0 yards per reception. Becker served as a reliable big-play target downfield and slotted in as an X receiver. He will take on a more dominant role this season and will likely be the primary target for Josh Hoover. At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, Becker is a physical receiver who often overpowers opponents, especially vertically, and reels in contested catches. Becker’s development last season was impossible to ignore, and with another offseason and spring season under his belt, progress is guaranteed. Becker will be given more targets than ever before this season; opportunity awaits him, and he is fully capable of taking advantage of it.

Nick Marsh- Junior/ Transfer from Michigan State

Nick Marsh marks one of the exciting additions from the transfer portal this season for the Hoosiers. Marsh arrives in Bloomington from Michigan State, where he started in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2025. Marsh recorded 59 receptions for 662 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per reception. He also received honorable mention All-Big Ten from conference coaches and media. Over his two years at Michigan State, Marsh reeled in 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, Marsh is a physical playmaker. He has displayed tremendous yards-after-catch ability and makes opponents miss tackles, as well as runs through them. While Becker excels as a vertical and deep threat, Marsh’s skill set lies in slants, hitches, and YAC opportunities, making them an exciting duo to watch.

Tyler Morris- Redshirt Senior/ Michigan

Tyler Morris joined the Hoosiers in 2025 as a transfer from Michigan; however, an ACL injury sidelined him for the entirety of the championship season. Over his three years at Michigan, Morris accumulated 39 receptions for 470 yards; he averaged 12.1 yards per reception, and he found the end zone three times. He is also an experienced punt returner on special teams. Morris plays mostly in the slot, displaying a knack for shorter routes over the middle. His versatility as a special teams contributor will allow Morris to be a key contributor early on this season.

Shazz Preston- Redshirt Senior/ Tulane

Preston will be another key contributor for the Hoosiers and part of the main rotation for wide receivers. Preston has already spent time at two FBS schools, including Alabama and most recently Tulane. He joined the Hoosiers from the transfer portal in January of 2026. Over four collegiate seasons, Preston has appeared in 31 career games with 13 starts. In his junior year at Tulane, Preston tallied 43 receptions for 723 yards. He averaged an impressive 16.8 yards per reception and brought down six touchdowns. Preston is a receiver who can contribute at all levels. He can reel in deep throws and also stay consistent in intermediate and short distances. Preston wins the 50-50 balls and isn’t afraid to win at the catch point; he is also a player who excels in run-after-catch ability. Marsh and Preston will likely be competing for targets as Z receiver this season; however, both players bring a much-needed skill set to the table.

Depth Pieces

Davion Chandler- Sophomore/ Indianapolis, Ind.

Chandler competed at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and graduated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 102 wide receiver in the country and caught 40 passes for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. He committed to Indiana in June of 2025 and chose the Hoosiers over schools like Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In his freshman year at Indiana, Chandler appeared in seven games and accumulated one reception for 65 yards and one touchdown. Chandler is a quick player, finds separation, and reels in contested catches. He is still a young player, but this season will offer a great opportunity for him to develop and earn more action on the field.

Lebron Bond- Sophmore/ Norfolk, Va.

Bond is another young talent in this depth room, and will likely contribute as a backup slot receiver. Bond attended Maury High School, where he was labeled as a three-star recruit by 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 32 player in Virginia. As a junior, Bond helped bring Maury the 2023 Virginia High School League Class 5 state title. He was named first-team all-state as a junior and all-region and all-district. Bond tallied 35 receptions alongside nine touchdowns as a senior. In his 2025 freshman season at Indiana, Bond appeared in 13 games and brought in five receptions for 49 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per reception. Bond should provide great depth for short-yardage situations, and his quickness and agility will be a given.

Myles Kendrick- Redshirt Freshman/ Jacksonville, Fla.

Kendrick came out of Riverside High School in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was deemed a three-star prospect. He tallied 96 career receptions for 1,344 yards and 13 touchdowns. He found the end zone 18 times, in every way possible, including 15 receiving, one rushing, one interception return, and one kickoff return. He did not see any action in his freshman year at Indiana and redshirted the season. This year, Kendrick should get more reps and hopefully emerge as a solid depth piece.

Jackson Wasserstrom- Redshirt Senior/ Westfield, Ind.

Wasserstrom joined the Hoosiers as a walk-on in 2022 and did not see any game action his initial freshman season. Wasserstrom attended Westfield High School, where he caught 29 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. In 2025, Wasserstrom appeared in seven games, reeling in two receptions for 21 yards.

Kortez Rupert- Freshman/ East Saint Louis, Ill.

Rupert graduated from East Saint Louis High School as a consensus three-star prospect according to 247Sports. He was a top-30 prospect in Illinois by ESPN. As a senior, Rupert tallied 30 receptions for 679 yards and ten touchdowns. He was also given the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association first-team All-State in Class 6A as a senior.

Lavar Keys- Freshman/ Hyattsville, Md.

Keys hails from Hyattsville, Md., where he attended DeMatha Catholic High School. According to 247Sports, Keys is a three-star prospect and ranked in the Top-30 of players in Maryland. He chose Indiana over offers from schools like Wisconsin, Kansas, and Penn State. Keys originally committed to Penn State but then decommitted to become a Hoosier.

Walk-Ons

Cade Kaiser- Redshirt Freshman/ Batesville, Ind.

Kaiser joined the Hoosiers as a walk-on from Batesville, Ind. In his freshman season in 2025, Kaiser did not see any game action and reshirted his initial collegiate season. While at Batesville High School, Kaiser totaled 1,354 career yards receiving for 91 receptions and tallied 23 touchdowns. He also had reps on defense, accumulating 19 tackles as a junior.

Hunter Stroud- Redshirt Freshman/ Martinsville, Ind

Stroud did not see any game action in his 2025 freshman season and redshirted. Stroud was named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State Top-50 as a senior. At Martinsville High School, Stroud tallied 198 career receptions for 2,672 yards and a record 28 receiving touchdowns. He was also a key special teams contributor, averaging 24.5 yards per kickoff return. As a senior, he led Indiana in receptions with 106 for 1,418 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Bruno Massel IV- Redshirt Freshman/ Elmhurst, Ill

Massel IV is another walk-on for this Hoosier team. He redshirted his 2025 freshman season. While at York High School, Massel played quarterback and passed for 2,685 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He also totaled 1,248 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Transitioning from quarterback to wide receiver gives Massel a unique strategic advantage.

Final Assessment

The 2026 Hoosiers’ wide receiver room is guaranteed to look different from last season. However, that does not warrant a need to panic. Sarratt and Cooper Jr. marked veteran production in 2025, and this year will focus more on younger talent. Becker is coming off a breakout season; he is still a young player looking to grow. However, if his 2025 season was any indicator, there is good reason for excitement.

Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston are great transfer additions and will bring great physicality to the group. Tyler Morris’s production will also be interesting to follow as he comes off an ACL injury, but he should serve as a reliable rotational piece. Overall, this group is probably one of the more physical rooms across college football, winning consistently through contact and in contested situations. There may be some unknowns about how this group will operate on game day, but all the pieces are there; they just need to put them together.

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