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Indiana WR Omar Cooper Emerges as First Round NFL Draft Prospect
The Hoosiers wide receiver has seen his draft stock skyrocket after a standout season.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper has quickly risen up NFL Draft boards and is now projected as a potential first-round pick. Cooper, who was part of a group of key players that followed head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, has impressed scouts with his strong route-running, reliable hands, and ability to gain yards after the catch. His game-winning touchdown catch against Penn State last season highlighted his clutch playmaking ability, and he is now drawing comparisons to NFL stars like the Giants' Malik Nabers, the Bills' D.J. Moore, and Patriots legends Wes Welker and Julian Edelman.
Why it matters
Cooper's emergence as a first-round prospect is a testament to the remarkable turnaround of the Indiana football program under Cignetti. After years of futility, the Hoosiers won the Big Ten title and reached the College Football Playoff last season, and Cooper has been a key part of that success. His potential selection in the first round would continue to raise the profile of the Indiana program and show that elite talent can be developed even at historically struggling programs.
The details
Cooper, a wide receiver, has seen his draft stock skyrocket in recent weeks. Numerous mock drafts now have him projected as a first-round pick, with some slotting him within the top 20 selections. His standout performance, including a game-winning touchdown catch against Penn State, has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like the Giants' Malik Nabers, the Bills' D.J. Moore, and Patriots legends Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. Cooper is praised for his strong route-running, reliable hands, and ability to gain yards after the catch.
- In 2024, Cooper followed head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana.
- During the 2025 season, Indiana won the Big Ten title and reached the College Football Playoff, going 16-0 - the first undefeated season for the program since 1894.
- In Week 10 of the 2025 season, Cooper made a game-winning touchdown catch against Penn State.
The players
Omar Cooper
An Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver who has emerged as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Curt Cignetti
The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, who brought a group of key players including Cooper with him when he left James Madison for Indiana in 2024.
Fernando Mendoza
The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback, who is widely expected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
What’s next
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where Cooper and his Indiana teammate Fernando Mendoza are both expected to be selected in the first round.
The takeaway
Cooper's rise to potential first-round draft pick is a testament to the remarkable turnaround of the Indiana football program under Curt Cignetti. His emergence as an elite talent shows that elite players can be developed even at historically struggling programs, and his selection in the first round would continue to raise the profile of the Indiana program.
