Nine Former Indiana Football Players Invited to 2026 NFL Combine

The Hoosiers' 2025 national championship team sends a large contingent to the annual scouting event.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nine members of Indiana University's 2025 national championship football team have received invitations to participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The list includes the Hoosiers' starting quarterback, top running back, two wide receivers, a tight end, center, linebacker, cornerback, and safety.

Why it matters

Indiana's football program has seen a remarkable turnaround under head coach Curt Cignetti, culminating in a national title in 2025. The high number of Hoosiers invited to the prestigious NFL Combine is a testament to the team's success and the growing talent pipeline Cignetti has built in Bloomington.

The details

The nine Indiana players receiving combine invitations are: quarterback Fernando Mendoza, running back Roman Hemby, wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, tight end Riley Nowakowski, center Pat Coogan, linebacker Aiden Fisher, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, and safety Louis Moore. Other NFL Draft hopefuls from the 2025 team, including running back Kaelon Black and edge rusher Mikail Kamara, will have a chance to showcase their skills at Indiana's pro day.

  • The NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis in 2026.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana University football team, who has led the program's remarkable turnaround, culminating in a national championship in 2025.

Fernando Mendoza

Indiana's starting quarterback and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Roman Hemby

Indiana's top running back and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Omar Cooper Jr.

One of Indiana's starting wide receivers and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Elijah Sarratt

One of Indiana's starting wide receivers and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Riley Nowakowski

Indiana's starting tight end and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Pat Coogan

Indiana's starting center and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Aiden Fisher

One of Indiana's starting linebackers and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

D'Angelo Ponds

Indiana's starting cornerback and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

Louis Moore

Indiana's starting safety and one of the nine Hoosiers invited to the 2026 NFL Combine.

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What’s next

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis in the coming months, where the nine former Indiana players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and personnel.

The takeaway

Indiana's football program has undergone a remarkable transformation under head coach Curt Cignetti, culminating in a national championship in 2025. The high number of Hoosiers invited to the prestigious NFL Combine is a testament to the team's success and the growing talent pipeline Cignetti has built in Bloomington, further solidifying Indiana as an emerging powerhouse in college football.