The 2026 NFL Draft is here, and the Indiana Hoosiers are taking over.
Indiana has a chance to set a program record for most players selected in a single NFL Draft. The current program record is seven, which occurred back in 1976. Indiana sent a program record nine players to the NFL Combine in February, which has the program primed to potentially tie or break that 50-year old record.
Indiana Hoosiers making noise in the 2026 NFL Draft
Indiana's class of NFL hopefuls is led by Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, which didn't come as a surprise to anyone.
Fernando Mendoza is already a fan favorite in Las Vegas
The draft is now underway, and we have you covered when it comes to tracking where each Hoosier ends up. Be sure to follow this page for all the latest updates regarding all things Indiana Football during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana Football 2026 NFL Draft tracker
There was never really a doubt about this one. The Raiders officially have their guy, and the franchise is now on the uptick after winning just three games last season.
Heading into a new era with head coach Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas has already been extremely active this offseason laying the ground work to build their franchise around Mendoza. Along with several defensive upgrades, the Raiders brought C Tyler Linderbaum, WR Jalen Naylor, and 14-year NFL QB Kirk Cousins on the offensive side of the ball. Cousins could be the perfect mentor for Mendoza as he takes the next step in his football career.
Omar Cooper Jr. was projected as either a late first round or early second round pick. The Jets made sure he didn't slip to Day 2 by snagging him with the 30th overall selection on Thursday night. With the pick, Mendoza and Cooper are the first pair of Hoosier teammates to be selected in the first round of the same NFL Draft in program history.
Cooper is among the most dynamic receivers in the draft, and he possesses an elite ability to rack up yards after the catch. New York was on the hunt for a reliable No. 2 receiver to complement Garrett Wilson, and they found it in Cooper.
The Jets traded former 4th overall pick Sauce Gardner to the Colts in November, so they entered the draft needing to address the cornerback position. Ponds has seen his stock continue to rise over the past few months thanks in large part to posting an impressive 43.5-inch vertical jump at the combine. That mark was tied for 2nd among all participants this year and 4th in combine history among cornerbacks.
Hoosier RB Kaelon Black finished the 2025-26 season with 1,040 rushing yards and led Indiana with 10 rushing touchdowns. He isn't the most elusive back out there, but he is a tough runner who is hard to bring down. He figures to compete for a RB 3/4 when camp gets going in San Francisco.
Adding Elijah Sarratt to the mix in Baltimore could prove to be very beneficial for Lamar Jackson and company. Sarratt is extremely reliable, as he hauled in 65 catches for 830 yards with an NCAA-leading 15 touchdowns this past season. He excels at bringing down contested catches, and ends his collegiate career with a contested catch rate of 60%. That skill set could make for a great fit with the Ravens.
Hoosier TE Riley Nowakowski is a dark horse Day 3 pick flying under the radar. Nowakowski emerged into a solid receiving threat for the Hoosiers in 2025, as he led IU tight ends with 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns. It's no secret that the Steelers love to utilize their tight ends in the passing game, and Nowakowski could make for an ideal TE combo with Pat Freiermuth.
Pat Coogan can provide instant depth to the Tennessee offensive line in 2026. Coogan was a big reason for Indiana's offensive efficiency this past season, as he started all 15 games at center. He shined down the stretch in the CFP, and became the first offensive lineman to win Offensive MVP honors at the Rose Bowl Game since USC's Norm Verry in 1944. One of Tennessee's top priorities for the offseason is building up the offensive line, and adding an experienced difference-maker like Coogan makes a lot of sense.
Aiden Fisher became Indiana’s first-ever First Team All-American linebacker in 2024, and was the first Hoosier defender to earn multiple First Team All-America honors. With his selection by the Houston Texans with the 243rd overall pick in the 7th Round, Fisher is the eighth Hoosier to be picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, which sets a program record for most players selected in a single NFL Draft.
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