Despite losing both Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt to the NFL, Indiana's WR room is in great shape heading into the 2026 season. Cooper and Sarratt made up arguably the most lethal receiving combination in all of college football last season, and the Hoosiers could boast that same title again this season.
Monshun Sales has a big decision to make—and the answer seems clear
Charlie Becker is back after emerging into a superstar in the second half of last season. Nick Marsh transferred in from Michigan State early in the offseason, and his skill set is sure to be heavily utilized. The WR combo of Becker and Marsh is already receiving plenty of hype, and together, the pair of Hoosier WRs have a chance to accomplish several rare feats in Bloomington.
Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh can make Indiana NFL Draft history
The 2026 NFL Draft was a historic one for the Indiana football program. Headlined by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, Indiana set a program record by having eight players selected.
Furthermore, with Mendoza going 1st overall to the Raiders and Cooper going 30th overall to the Jets, they became the first pair of Hoosier teammates to be selected in the first round of the same NFL Draft in IU football history.
The first round hype is already building for both Becker and Marsh. Becker was projected as a first round selection by CBS Sports earlier this offseason, and ESPN ranked him as the No. 4 wide receiver in the country entering the new season.
The Athletic listed Marsh as the No. 4 NFL-ready WR in the country, following just behind Becker at No. 3. Thus, both Hoosier wideouts seem to already be on the top of draft boards heading into the new season. If they both go in the first round, they'll be just the second pair of Hoosier teammates to be first rounders together, joining Mendoza and Cooper from this past spring.
More history awaits Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker
When it comes to wide receivers, not many teammates have been selected in the first round together in football history. If Becker and Marsh both go in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft, they would become just the eighth pair of college football WR teammates to become first rounders together. Furthermore, they would be just the second Big Ten pair to accomplish that feat, joining Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez from 2007.
WR teammates to be first rounders in the same NFL Draft together
2021: Jaylen Waddle (No. 6) and DeVonta Smith (No. 10) - Alabama
2020: Henry Ruggs III (No. 12) and Jerry Jeudy (No. 15) - Alabama
2007: Ted Ginn Jr. (No. 9) and Anthony Gonzalez (No. 32) - Ohio State
2007: Dwayne Bowe (No. 23) and Craig Davis (No. 27) - LSU
2001: Santana Moss (No. 16) and Reggie Wayne (No. 30) - Miami (FL)
1997: Ike Hilliard (No. 7) and Reidel Anthony (No. 16) - Florida
What makes the possibilities for Becker and Marsh so exciting in 2026 is that they have complimentary skill sets. Becker is a deep play threat on every snap, as he thrives at coming down with contested jump balls down the field. He is especially elite at hauling in back shoulder throws, which was on full display during Indiana's College Football Playoff run.
Marsh is extremely athletic, and flashes eye-popping speed. Those attributes allow him to rack up yards after the catch with ease. Together, Hoosier fans have a lot to look forward to when Becker and Marsh are both on the field in the fall.
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