Combine Countdown: Nine Hoosiers Get the Call
The NFL announced nine Indiana players have earned invitations to the 2026 Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, a program record. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, running back Roman Hemby, wideouts Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, tight end Riley Nowakowski, center Pat Coogan, linebacker Aiden Fisher, safety Louis Moore and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds will showcase their skills Feb. 23–March 2. Live coverage begins Feb. 26 on NFL Network and NFL+. Draft projections list Mendoza as the consensus No. 1 overall prospect, Hemby among top-five running backs, Cooper and Sarratt ranked by CBS Sports, and PFF’s big board ranks all nine. Early NFL.com mock drafts predict Mendoza to the Raiders, Cooper to the Titans, Ponds to the Lions and Sarratt to the Saints.
Nothing screams “small-town powerhouse” like nine guys showing up to Indianapolis to test their 40-yard dashes. If Hoosier coaches could bottle that Combine anxiety and sell it, they’d have enough cash to repave Bloomington’s entire campus with turf. Meanwhile, Mendoza’s poised to become the NFL’s next franchise savior—no pressure—while Cooper will be auditioning for his second favorite role: “That Receiver Who Almost Made the Play.” All that remains is for one brave scout to ask, “So, where’s the rest of your team?”
Unbeaten and Unbothered: 1976 Hoosiers Stay Chill
Indiana’s 1975–76 basketball squad remains the last men’s team to finish a season 32–0. Even half a century later, Quinn Buckner, Tom Abernethy and their teammates keep in touch but refuse to throw champagne when another unbeaten falls. They shrug off the Miami Dolphins’ annual celebration, preferring good-old fashioned stoicism. Abernethy’s family gets a laugh when an unbeaten finally loses, and the original Hoosiers have even offered to ceremonially crown the next perfect team. Their legacy rests not on unbeaten bragging rights, but on the banner hanging in Assembly Hall and the timeless excellence they displayed.
In an era where postgame selfies and TikTok dances reign supreme, these Hoosiers treat an undefeated season like a dentist appointment—comfortable silence, nice plaque, no big deal. Instead of popping corks, they’ll deliver a polite golf clap to the next team daring enough to stay perfect. They’re the original stoics, the Lizards of Locker Rooms, unbothered by records or social-media accolades. Here’s hoping the next unbeaten squad at least sends a fruit basket.
Cherry Picks Up Balls, Joins Spring Roster
After a knee injury sidelined him before Indiana’s College Football Playoff loss at Notre Dame, 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Cherry spent 2025 rehabbing and serving as a coaching assistant on gameday. Two hours before the Peach Bowl pick-six that sealed Indiana’s win, Cherry was on the 35-yard line tossing passes. Now fully healthy, he’s back on the spring roster reclaiming No. 15. He’ll compete alongside TCU transfer Josh Hoover, Grant Wilson and fellow redshirts Jacob Bell and Maverick Geske, under new quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri.
Cherry’s back from the sidelines and ready to remind everyone that yes, quarterbacks are meant to throw passes, not clip playbooks and hand out Gatorade. After perfecting the art of the clipboard cameo, he’s no longer content marshalling the fourth quarter pep talk—he wants snaps. Rumor has it he’s been practicing his victory spike in front of his bathroom mirror and is angling for an epic spring scrimmage moment. Move over sideline strategy; Cherry’s aiming for epic back-shoulder fades.
Coach Fesses Up as Alexis Lights Up the Paint
Indiana coach Darian DeVries admitted he underutilized senior forward Sam Alexis for much of the season—initially starting Reed Bailey—but Alexis responded by torching Wisconsin with 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks, then going a perfect 8-for-8 for 16 points against Oregon. The 6-foot-9 forward’s knack for low-post moves and interior presence forced the Hoosiers to run more offense through him. Over his past five games, Alexis is 24-of-25 shooting with 12 rebounds, six blocks and just three turnovers, while energizing the locker room with his motor and enthusiasm.
In a twist more shocking than an upset loss, Coach DeVries actually said, “My bad.” Who knew benching your best scorer could backfire? Now Alexis is Indiana’s secret weapon: part cult leader, part human pogo stick. DeVries claims he’s just “figuring it out,” but fans suspect the coach finally woke up after watching Alexis dunk on his own shadow. The Hoosiers aren’t just feeding the big man; they’re tossing him a banquet of mismatches—and it’s only a matter of time before opponents file a restraining order.
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