‘Confidence and Belief’ -- Clutch-Catch Charlie Becker Ready for More
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Clouds are nowhere in sight above Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Eighty-degree temperatures are building into the 90s, humidity has a Florida feel and Charlie Becker lines up for pass drills no longer a sub, but a star.
On one play, the junior receiver dives for an over-the middle catch from a Josh Hoover pass. In another, he goes deep as Hoover completes a short pass. In another, he runs across the middle for a catch, jogging back to the sidelines while joking with a defensive coach that a defensive back had jumped offsides trying to slow him down.
Then comes No. 1 offense-against-No. 1-defense action. Becker blocks safety Preston Zachman on one running play, cornerback A.J. Harris on another. The Harris block helps free running back Khobie Martin for a down-the-sideline explosive play.
In offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s dynamic attack, receivers had better block as well as catch and the 6-foot-4, 207-pound Becker checks all the boxes, which is what you’d expect from one of the best receivers in America. While it’s early in camp as the Hoosiers seek a repeat of last season’s national title run, potential is obvious for Becker and the team.
As head coach Curt Cignetti puts it, Becker is playing with “more confidence and belief.”
Why not?
Last season showed the college football world Becker’s clutch-catch knack. His late-season dominance was a revelation to those outside the program, but not to the Hoosiers, who had seen him thrive in practice, thrive on special teams as a freshman, then thrive in limited receiving doses as a sophomore -- just seven catches for 157 yards and one touchdown in the first nine games -- until veteran Elijah Sarratt’s injury created opportunity Becker ruthlessly exploited.
Once a three-star high school prospect out of Tennessee with the speed and athleticism to win state track titles in the 110-meter high hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles and the 1,600-meter relay, Becker had at least four catches for at least 65 yards in four of the last seven games, finishing with 34 catches for 679 yards and four TDs. He had 126 receiving yards on six catches against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, and a 53-yard catch at Penn State while totaling seven receptions for 118 yards.
He also found time for seven special teams tackles, which ranked second in the Big Ten.
“Maybe the biggest change (this season) is how we look at him,” Cignetti says. “(Last year) he was just a guy and he had an opportunity. He was a special teams demon for us in '24. Then, when he got in the games, he took advantage of his opportunities.
“When Elijah got hurt, (Becker) was our leading receiver in seven of the last eight games. He had a great summer, too.”
The result -- high expectations that include Big Ten preseason honors along with teammates Rolijah Hardy at linebacker and Tyrique Tucker at defensive tackle.
“As I get older and continue to grow and know more about the offense and get better at reading defenses,” Becker says, “I see how I improved. My confidence has gone up. I’m able to trust myself and what I’ve been taught.”
Becker insists his early lack of playing time was never a problem. He says Shanahan, who also coaches the receivers, ensures all the receivers are ready when opportunity comes.
“Last year, I put in the work,” Becker says. “I'm happy that I was able to get that opportunity.
“Coach Shanahan does such a great job of making sure that everyone in the receiving room knows what to do at every single position, so that when their numbers do get called, they'll be able to make plays. I'm super thankful to Coach Shanahan for that.”
That patience experience is a prime example for younger receivers to learn from.
“To those younger guys,” Becker says, “I'd say just keep grinding, keep working. Eventually, your number will get called. Just keep it going.”
Has success changed him? Becker says no.
“I wouldn't say my life has necessarily changed. I think I've always been the same person before or after football. I think I always will be the same person.
“I'm extremely blessed that I've been put in this position. I just have to remember that.”
Elite receiver production demands elite pass-game chemistry with the quarterback. This season, that’s with Hoover, a transfer quarterback from TCU who brings plenty of experience and success with career totals of 9,629 passing yards (the most of any returning quarterback in the nation), 71 touchdowns, and a 65.2 completion percentage.
“Josh is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” Becker says. “He texts me all the time, like every weekend and during weekdays. He’ll say, ‘Hey, do you want to work on this connection?’ He does that with all the receivers. We’re all out there doing spot catches, making sure our legs aren’t dead.
“Josh really wants all of us to succeed. He wants to build those connections with all of us because you never know what could happen. That’s a testament to how hard a worker he is."
Becker says it feels like yesterday that he was in the receiver room with veterans such as Sarratt, E.J. Williams Jr. and Omar Cooper Jr. learning the nuances of the position. Now, all are pursuing pro opportunities while Becker helps set the team tone.
“All those guys taught me how to become a leader,” he says. “I got bits and pieces from each of them. They were such great leaders. They taught me so much. I took that and put it into my own leadership to help out these younger guys and try to make them as good as they can be.”
That’s crucial because the best teams, the championship teams, are player led. Last year’s Hoosiers proved that.
“With learning from E.J., Coop, and Elijah,” Becker says, “I think my biggest improvement is the leadership aspect. That's something that I've taken a pretty big step, and I'm nowhere close to being where I want to be in that aspect. I will continue to be a leader and continue to be a role model.”
As far as the receiver room, it’s been boosted by the addition of Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh (100 catches, 1,311 yards, nine touchdowns in two Spartan seasons) and the return of former Michigan receiver Tyler Morris, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Talented sophomores Lebron Bond and Davion Chandler show potential, as does senior Jackson Wasserstrom. There’s also plenty of receiving skill from running backs Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr.
“Nick is a beast,” Becker says. “We got weapons all over now. With Turbo, Khobie, and Lee, our running backs, I mean, shoot, those guys are studs. Then there’s our O-line, who are just a bunch of dogs, ballers. And Josh is a beast at quarterback.
“I really like the look of our offense. Where do you see a hole? We’ve got a lot of receivers. We’ve got depth there. We’ve got some giant dogs all over the field. Bringing in Nick Marsh just adds another layer to that. He's worked his butt off this off season. I can't wait to see what he does on Saturdays.”
As for Morris, a former four-star prospect who played 34 games with 14 starts for Michigan, Becker adds, “Even though Tyler got hurt last year, which was very unfortunate, he was with us the whole way. That's what a leader is.
“Things might not go your way, but you always have to keep the faith and be sure you’re able to know and teach and coach as much as you can, even though you know you're not the one getting recognition for it.
“That’s what Tyler did last year. He had a big role last year for all of us. He did a great job of making sure everyone would want to do and just helping out the younger guys, just like Elijah and E.J.”