Indiana’s Wide Receiver Room: Charlie Becker Leads a Recharged Unit into 2026
As spring practice looms in Bloomington, Curt Cignetti’s 2026 Indiana roster is finally starting to take shape. And while questions remain across the depth chart, one thing is clear: the wide receiver room has the potential to be one of the Hoosiers’ most dynamic units - and it all starts with Charlie Becker.
Becker’s Breakout - and What Comes Next
Charlie Becker isn’t just Indiana’s top returning wideout - he’s the guy who transformed from a rotational piece into a go-to weapon during the most critical stretch of the season. After logging just seven receptions over the first nine games, Becker caught fire down the stretch, becoming a key figure in Indiana’s postseason run.
Look at the numbers from his breakout performance at Penn State onward, and you’ll see why expectations are sky-high. His production over that span would project to a full-season pace of 46 catches, 894 yards (an eye-popping 19.4 yards per catch), and five touchdowns. That’s not just improvement - that’s a leap into featured-player territory.
With Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and E.J. Williams Jr. all off to the NFL, Becker now steps into a leadership role.
He’s the tone-setter in a room that’s lost some serious firepower but may be even deeper than before. The big question: how much more is in the tank?
Enter Nick Marsh: A Perfect Complement
If Becker is the home-run threat, Nick Marsh is the chain-mover with a nasty streak. The Michigan State transfer brings two years of eligibility and a résumé that already includes damage done against Indiana - 12 catches, 142 yards, and two touchdowns across the last two seasons.
Marsh turned down Notre Dame to join Cignetti’s squad, and his decision to follow Indiana through the College Football Playoff in January says a lot about how bought-in he is. He’s a technician with strong hands and a knack for winning one-on-one battles - the kind of receiver who thrives on back-shoulder throws and tight-window timing routes.
Sound familiar? That’s the same mold Elijah Sarratt fit so well in 2025.
With offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan calling the shots - and also coaching the receivers - Marsh’s skill set should slide in seamlessly. Pair him with Becker’s vertical juice, and Indiana may have found its next great duo.
Depth, Versatility, and Intriguing Upside
Behind Becker and Marsh, the Hoosiers have options - and plenty of them.
Tyler Morris is healthy again after missing all of 2025 with a non-contact knee injury. He was back on the field for pre-CFP practices and is expected to finally take on the role IU envisioned for him when he transferred in.
Then there’s Shazz Preston, who arrives with one year of eligibility and a résumé that includes leading Tulane in receiving during a playoff season. A former Alabama recruit, Preston brings versatility - he can line up inside or outside - and big-game experience.
And don’t sleep on the younger guys. Lebron Bond and Davion Chandler didn’t put up big numbers last season, but the staff opted not to redshirt either of them - a move that speaks volumes.
That’s the same approach Indiana took with Becker in 2024, and we all know how that turned out. If either Bond or Chandler is tracking along a similar development curve, they could be in for a breakout of their own.
What’s Next?
With spring ball on the horizon, Shanahan will have his hands full figuring out how to deploy this group. There’s no shortage of talent, and the mix of experience, explosiveness, and youth gives Indiana flexibility in how it attacks defenses.
Becker is already proving he can be the guy. Marsh looks like a tailor-made complement. Morris and Preston add proven depth, while Bond and Chandler bring upside that could pay off sooner than later.
For a team coming off a national title run, the expectations are high - and this wide receiver room looks ready to meet them.