Preseason Central: Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Head coach Curt Cignetti has made it clear that the 2025 season is in the past. Now, the 2026 edition is preparing to write the third chapter of the Cignetti era with a good mix of returning production and newcomers – both prep and transfer portal additions.
The 60 returners on the IU roster includes 11 players with multiple starts in 2025 (5 offense, 6 defense), while Ryland Gandy and Kaiden Turner also made a spot start during the season. The group of 44 newcomers includes 18 transfers – nine on defense, six on offense and three specialists.
This Preseason Central page will keep you up-to-date from start of fall camp up to the 2026 season opener against North Texas on Saturday, Sept. 5, inside Memorial Stadium. From updated awards, press conference video, content from IUHoosiers.com insider Pete DiPrimio, and everything in between, this will be your one-stop shop for Indiana football content.
DON'T MISS A PETE
Follow along with IUHoosiers.com staff writer Pete DiPrimio as he brings you an inside look at the Hoosier football program as it progresses through fall camp and into the season.
Winter Workouts/Spring Ball
‘Great Story’ – Evans Looms as Key Offensive-Line Factor (7/3)
Knows What It takes – Ferrell Poised to Take Bigger Leadership Role (6/25)
‘Confident, Smart, Disciplined’ Hardy’ Ready for More (6/23)
‘Sky is the Limit’ for Lynch and IU’s Offensive Line (6/18)
Richard To Put ‘Turbo’ into IU rushing attack (6/15)
‘Anchor of Defense’ – Tucker Ready to be the ‘Voice’ IU Needs (6/11)
Indy 500 Lesson Learned, Cignetti Returns to Football Focus (6/8)
Instant Impact – Zachman is Smart, Versatile, Experienced (5/26)
Bringing the Juice – Martin Takes Advantage of Running Back Opportunities (5/15)
‘Stacking Days’ – More Dominating Defense in IU’s Future (5/13)
Spring Game Latest Example of Radicic’s Unprecedented Accuracy (5/8)
Connection Building -- Hoover Set to ‘Attack’ Hoosier Opportunity (5/6)
NOTEBOOK: Winning Blueprint Plus Process Driven Equals Staying Ahead of Coaching Curve (4/29)
Next Step -- Landino Ready to Help Lead the Defensive Line Way (4/23)
‘Quality Work’ Continues as Spring Practice Reaches Final Week (4/20)
Trust Builder – Becker Takes Lessons Learned to Elite Level (4/16)
‘Process Driven’ – Evaluating Young Quarterbacks Spring Priority (4/14)
Playing or Coaching, Carter Smith Makes Big -- Literally! -- Impact (4/10)
Hoover and Hoosiers Making Spring Progress (4/7)
‘Right Mindset’ -- Beebe Jr. on Track to Make Big Rushing Return (4/3)
NOTEBOOK: Hardy, Jones Pace Another Promising Linebacker Group (3/31)
‘Foundation Building’ – Hoosiers Open Spring Football Practice (3/28)
MEDIA AVAILABILITIES
See and hear everything that head coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosier student-athletes are talking about during fall camp media availabilities.
Coming Soon
PRESEASON AWARDS & HONORS
From preseason player rankings to all-conference honors, here are the Hoosiers that people are talking about entering 2026.
Charlie Becker | WR | Jr.
He started eight of the final nine games of the season and was a mainstay on special teams throughout the season. His 34 catches saw 29 go for a first down or a touchdown and he produced three 100-yard receiving games in 2025.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (second team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (third team)
Amare Ferrell | DB | Sr.
After he was the only true freshman not to redshirt in 2023 has been a mainstay on the IU defense the past two seasons with 28 starts. A second-team All-Big Ten pick last season ranks No. 16 on the Hoosiers’ all-time interception charts with eight.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (second team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (third team)
Rolijah Hardy | LB | Jr.
An Indiana-best 102 tackles featured a team-high 8.0 sacks in 2025 helped him to second-team All-Big Ten honors. His 16 starts in last season featured four double-digit tackle games and a streak of 12-straight games with at least 0.5 tackles for loss from Week 4 through the College Football Playoff Semifinals.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (first team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (second team)
- Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason All-America (second team)
Isaiah Jones | LB | R-Sr.
A breakout season in 2025 was capped with a touchdown on Indiana’s blocked punt in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. His third-team All-Big Ten resume featured 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks – both totals second on the IU defense last season.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (second team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (first team)
- Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason All-America (second team)
Nick Marsh | WR | Jr.
The 6-foot-3 pass catch arrives in Bloomington after two standout seasons at Michigan State that netted honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025. Marsh owns 100 receptions, 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns over two collegiate seasons with two career 100-yard receiving games.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (third team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (second team)
Jamari Sharpe | DB | R-Sr.
The game-sealing interception with under a minute left in the fourth quarter was one of the defining moments in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game versus Miami (Fla.). He finished as the No. 10-graded cornerback in Power 4 (84.1) per Pro Football Focus after just 34 receptions allowed in over 500 coverage snaps.
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (fourth team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (fourth team)
Carter Smith | OL | R-Sr.
A finalist for the Outland Trophy and consensus All-America choice with 39 consecutive stats at left tackle. The first Hoosier to earn the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year helped the offense rush for 300-plus yards on a program-record six occasions.
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (first team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (first team)
- Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason All-America (first team)
Tyrique Tucker | DL | R-Sr.
After 16 starts on the defensive line that netted 40 tackles and 12.0 tackles for loss he was an All-America selection in 2025. The first-team All-Big Ten pick owns 21.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks over his first three collegiate seasons (41 games).
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
- Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (first team)
- Phil Steele Preseason All-America (second team)
- Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason All-America (first team)
