The Indiana Hoosiers have been making waves in college football, and it's all thanks to head coach Curt Cignetti. Transforming a program with a challenging past, Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to an impressive 27-2 record, two College Football Playoff appearances, a Big Ten Championship, and even a National Championship in just two seasons. It's been a remarkable turnaround for Indiana.
Now, the spotlight is on the Hoosiers as they prepare to send a strong contingent of players to the NFL Draft next month. The team set a new program record with nine players attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, a significant leap from just two years ago when only one player, LB Aaron Casey, made the trip.
All eyes are on Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. But Mendoza isn't the only Hoosier who could hear his name called early. Indiana's talented group has the potential to set a new milestone in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana is on the brink of breaking its record for the most players selected in a single NFL Draft. The current record, set in 1976, stands at seven picks. With nine players showcased at the Combine, this year's class is poised to either tie or surpass that mark.
Back in 1976, the draft was a different beast with 17 rounds and only 28 teams. Today, the draft consists of seven rounds with 32 teams.
In that historic draft, only one Hoosier was picked before the 7th Round. Here’s a quick look at the Hoosiers selected back then:
- OT Greg McGuire: 6th Round, 181st overall (Dallas Cowboys)
- DT John Jordan: 8th Round, 221st overall (New York Giants)
- LB Donnie Thomas: 11th Round, 298th overall (New England Patriots)
- K Frank Stavroff: 12th Round, 339th overall (Baltimore Colts)
- DB Quinn Buckner: 14th Round (Washington Redskins)
- DT Jack Hoffman: 15th Round, 407th overall (San Diego Chargers)
- WR Trent Smock: 15th Round, 419th overall (Detroit Lions)
Last year, Indiana saw two players drafted, though neither went in the top three rounds. DT CJ West was picked in the 4th Round by the San Francisco 49ers, and QB Kurtis Rourke was taken in the 7th Round, also by the 49ers. This year, the Hoosiers could see multiple first-round selections and several picked by the end of Day 2.
Indiana's Pro Day on April 1 will be a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their skills to NFL scouts just weeks before the draft. A total of 23 players are expected to participate in Bloomington.
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Hoosier fans are buzzing with anticipation. Will Indiana break a 50-year-old record by having eight or more players selected? It's an exciting time for the program and its supporters.