Indiana Hoosiers Shine at NFL Combine, Prepare for 2026 Draft

The Indiana Hoosiers football program saw a record nine players invited to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, signaling a potentially strong showing in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Although not all participants engaged in on-field testing, all were evaluated through measurements, interviews, and drills. Several Hoosiers posted impressive results, setting the stage for a busy spring as they prepare for Indiana’s Pro Day on April 1st and the draft itself.

Combine Standouts

Several Indiana players distinguished themselves during the Combine:

• Omar Cooper Jr. (Wide Receiver): Cooper clocked a 4.42 40-yard dash, tied for 17th-fastest among 34 wide receivers who tested. His measurements included a height of 6’0 1/8”, a weight of 196 lbs, a 30 1/4” arm length, a 9 5/8” hand size, and a 75 1/4” wingspan. The Daily Hoosier
• D’Angelo Ponds (Cornerback): Ponds excelled in the vertical jump, achieving a 43.5” leap, tied for the second-best result overall and fourth-best in Combine history for cornerbacks. His measurements were: 5’8 5/8” height, 182 lbs weight, 29 3/8” arm length, 9 5/8” hand size, and 72 1/4” wingspan. The Daily Hoosier
• Riley Nowakowski (Tight End): Nowakowski ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds, ranking 13th out of 18 tight ends. He also recorded a 1.7 second 10-yard split, a 33.5” vertical jump, and a 9’11” broad jump. His measurements included 6’2 1/4” height, 250 lbs weight, 31 1/2” arm length, and 8 3/4” hand size. The Daily Hoosier

Other Hoosiers Evaluated

Louis Moore and Aiden Fisher did not participate in testing at the Combine but underwent measurements and interviews. They are expected to participate in further testing at Indiana’s Pro Day on April 1st. The Daily Hoosier

Looking Ahead

With spring practice commencing after spring break, the Hoosiers will continue to prepare for the 2026 season. All eyes will then turn to Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft, where Fernando Mendoza is projected as a potential first-overall pick, and several other Indiana players hope to hear their names called. Indiana Hoosiers in the NFL Draft