The past year has been a whirlwind for the Indiana Hoosiers football program. Curt Cignetti has taken his one-time Big Ten doormat team to new heights. Now the national champions will have something else to celebrate by Saturday night. Potentially ten or more players going in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall. Who’s behind him? The Hoosiers name should be heard frequently throughout the draft process. What’s important is the rule of two, and it will play heavily into the draft for the Hoosiers. Two running backs, two receivers, two defensive backs, two offensive linemen, and those are just the more well-known IU players.
Indiana’s imprint on this draft will be noteworthy, with players still coming off the board into Day 3. There’s a scenario where there is at least one Hoosier who will be taken in every single round that is not outside the realm of possibility.
Indiana Hoosiers 2026 NFL Draft prospects (13)
| Name | Pos | HT | WT | 40 | Range | Pick | Team |
| Fernando Mendoza | QB | 6’5 | 225 | 4.85 | No. 1 pick | 1st | Raiders |
| Omar Cooper Jr | WR | 6’0 | 204 | 4.42 | Rd 1-2 | 30th | Jets |
| Elijah Surratt | WR | 6’2 | 213 | 4.60 | Rd 2-3 | 115th | Ravens |
| D’Angelo Ponds | CB | 5’9 | 173 | 4.35 | Rd 2-3 | 50th | Jets |
| Mikail Kamara | EDGE | 6’1 | 262 | 4.80 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Aiden Fisher | LB | 6’1 | 235 | 4.70 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Louis Moore | S | 5’11 | 200 | 4.60 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Kaelon Black | RB | 5’10 | 211 | 4.45 | Rd 4-6 | 90th | 49ers |
| Roman Hemby | RB | 6’0 | 210 | 4.40 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Pat Coogan | C | 6’5 | 311 | 5.20 | Rd 4-6 | 194th | Titans |
| Riley Nowakowski | TE | 6’2 | 249 | 4.66 | Rd 5-7 | 169th | Steelers |
| Zen Michalski | OT | 6’6 | 319 | 5.10 | Rd 6-UFA | ||
| EJ Williams Jr | WR | 6’4 | 203 | 4.50 | Rd 7-UFA |
2026 NFL Draft: Indiana Hoosiers news
Pat Coogan goes No. 194 overall in the sixth round to Tennessee Titans
Riley Nowakowski goes No. 169 overall in the fifth round to Steelers
Elijah Sarratt goes No. 115 overall in the fourth round to Baltimore Ravens
Elijah Surratt can really help Lamar Jackson inside the 20s. Ravens’ fans will love his toughness. https://t.co/lroyq2kAh7
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Kaelon Black goes No. 90 overall in third round to San Francisco 49ers
No. 90 pick is in: #49ers have selected Indiana RB Kaelon Black, per sources. pic.twitter.com/9IvKBcz5iJ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
D’Angelo Ponds goes No. 50 overall in second round to New York Jets
So the Jets come up from 33 in a trade with the 49ers — who move down again — to get another pass catcher in Omar Cooper Jr.
3 first rounders for the Jets tonight. https://t.co/7OJye6ahSR
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 24, 2026
Omar Cooper Jr. goes No. 30 overall to the New York Jets
Mendoza will sign a four-year contract, with a team option for a fifth year, for $54.56 million.
That’s a lot, but his average salary will be one of, if not the lowest in the NFL for a starting quarterback.— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) April 24, 2026
“I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.”
Fernando Mendoza is ready to hit the ground running with the @Raiders 🙌
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/73kTnMdpyj— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
Hit the jackpot! 🎰
With the No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza is headed to Las Vegas! pic.twitter.com/mRq87kuAQq
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 24, 2026
Fernando Mendoza takes on a new cause before going No. 1 overall to the Raiders. Story here.
2026 NFL Draft: Indiana reactions and impressions
Fernando Mendoza to ESPN on former teammate D’Angelo Ponds: “The best corner I’ve played or played against. He is the top of the totem pole. … and he gave me a lot of trouble. He picked off a couple of times….Gamechanger.” https://t.co/amKeyL2Z33
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Stamp of approval from Coach Cignetti 🏴☠️@IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/0flae2KkuE
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 24, 2026
Omar Cooper Jr is pro ready, tough as hell over the middle. Didn’t think he was a first round explosive type of WR.
Jets have 3 guys that should be able to help right away— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 24, 2026
Fernando Mendoza is gearing up to hear his name called with friends, family, and the Heisman Trophy 🙌 @IndianaFootball
2026 NFL Draft starts at 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2sbG8Ez5jr— NFL (@NFL) April 23, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
