Becker Committed to Improvement, Despite Dominant Start to the Season

Charlie Becker has been Indiana’s best receiver since he emerged on the scene against Maryland after Elijah Sarratt was injured.

He missed no beat this year, grabbing four catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns against North Texas. He hasn’t dropped a single pass in his Indiana career to this point. Becker is a star in the making, but he doesn’t see himself that way. He sees the room to improve his game.

“All the receivers, we catch jugs every day,” Becker said. “You know, we catch 100 to 200 balls. So we’re really just trying to stay prepared, and we’re throwing with Josh (Hoover) outside of practices, just keeping that connection strong”.

The reps and commitment are what it is all about for the third-year receiver out of Nashville, Tennessee. Last year, he was roommates with Fernando Mendoza, but this year, he had to make a new connection with quarterback Josh Hoover. Last Saturday, it became clear that they’ve built up this connection.

“I think it’s just kind of I’m always watching film with Josh,” Becker said. “So we’re kind of talking through the film, like if they’re playing this defense and we walk through all the plays, kind of saying, if you’re running this route during this coverage, what are you thinking? What am I thinking? What’s the best way to get open? And then, like I was saying earlier, just kind of those off practice and on Saturdays and Sundays, just kind of throwing with each other, trying to just kind of build that connection”.

The work day in and day out with Hoover is why they were able to have the connection they had last year. They found this connection immediately, especially on the first touchdown. Hoover fit the ball in between two defenders with blood gushing down his face, as Becker caught his first touchdown of the season.

Becker has had this amazing start to the season, but knows that he has room to improve on and off the field. Becker was asked how he had improved as a leader this season.

“I think I’ve taken a step for sure since since fall camp, but I’m nowhere near where I want to be,” Becker said.

One of his largest goals from the spring was to be a better leader for this Indiana team. He has made some progress in this regard, but knows that there is always more for him to do.

He was asked where he believes he can improve on the field this year.

“All areas, Becker said. “Everything that has to do with receiver, blocking, releases, top of the routes, just all areas”.

Then Becker was asked to specify which area he needs the most improvement in.

“All areas. Blocking, down the field, top of routes, all the above,” Becker said.

He has the mindset that he can always get better at everything. He refused to specify because he knows that there are always areas for him to improve. Becker will not be complacent with one good performance in week one; he won’t be complacent if he excels in week two. Becker has been dominant throughout his entire playing career at Indiana, but he is committed to improvement.