Elijah Sarratt Believes Indiana Football Is Just Getting Started - And He Might Be Right
If you’re building a Mount Rushmore of Indiana football’s recent rise, Elijah Sarratt’s face is etched right there at the top. The standout wide receiver, who followed head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Bloomington, has become one of the most important pieces in a Hoosiers program that’s suddenly flipped the script on its football identity.
Since Sarratt arrived, Indiana has looked nothing like the team we’ve come to expect over the last few decades. They’ve lost just two games since the start of last season - a stunning stat that speaks volumes about the culture shift under Cignetti. And while the head coach deserves a lion’s share of the credit, Sarratt’s impact on the field can’t be overstated.
This may be Sarratt’s final ride in college football, but don’t mistake that for a farewell tour. He’s not just focused on the now - he’s thinking about what’s next for Indiana, and he’s bullish on the program’s future.
“I expect no drop off next year and the years to come with Indiana football,” Sarratt said.
That’s not just locker-room talk. Sarratt is projected to be a third-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and he’s seen firsthand what it takes to build a winning program.
He’s been part of the transformation. His words carry weight.
A Playoff Path That’s There for the Taking - But Not Without a Fight
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves - Indiana still has to navigate three straight win-or-go-home games if they want to make a run at the national championship. That road starts with a massive showdown against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. That’s not exactly a warm-up act.
But here’s the thing: this Indiana team isn’t just happy to be here. They’ve beaten big names before.
They’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights. And with Sarratt, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and Cignetti leading the charge, they’ve got the kind of confidence and cohesion that can make magic happen in January.
Cignetti’s Vision, Indiana’s Buy-In
While Sarratt has been the go-to weapon on the field, the real architect of Indiana’s turnaround is Curt Cignetti. At 60-plus, he’s not the flashy young coach making waves on social media - he’s the old-school winner who came to Bloomington with a plan and a purpose.
He didn’t take this job for a payday. He came to win, and so far, he’s delivered a Big Ten Championship and a team that believes it belongs on the national stage.
Behind the scenes, Indiana’s booster support has grown stronger, and the program has leaned heavily into the transfer portal to build a competitive roster fast. That strategy has worked - for now. But Sarratt’s vision of sustained success will depend on more than just quick fixes.
Can Indiana Sustain This?
Here’s where things get tricky. If Indiana wants to be more than a flash in the pan, it needs to start winning more battles on the recruiting trail - especially in the Midwest.
Beating Ohio State and Penn State once is impressive. Doing it again - and again - is how you stay relevant.
The transfer portal has been a useful tool, but long-term success comes from building depth and continuity. That means convincing top-tier high school talent to choose Indiana over the traditional Big Ten powers. It’s not easy, but it’s possible - especially if the Hoosiers keep stacking wins and producing NFL talent like Sarratt.
The Belief Is Real - And Earned
Right now, Sarratt has every reason to believe Indiana football is here to stay. He’s lived the turnaround.
He’s been a central figure in one of the most surprising storylines in college football. And as he prepares for the next chapter of his career, he’s leaving behind a program that suddenly feels like a real player on the national stage.
The Hoosiers still have work to do - starting with Alabama - but they’ve already shown they’re not afraid of the moment. And if Sarratt’s confidence is any indication, this isn’t the end of Indiana’s rise. It might just be the beginning.