For the entire 2025 Indiana football season, Charlie Becker had four receiving touchdowns, including only one through the first 10 games.
Through the first two games this season, the junior has five touchdown receptions. It took him a total of six quarters to eclipse his touchdown total from all of last year. Becker scored three times in the first half of No. 5 Indiana’s 55-0 victory vs Howard, recording his first career hat trick.
The Nashville, Tennessee, native’s meteoric rise up the Hoosiers’ wide receiver depth chart is no mistake. It’s a payoff of hard work and intense preparation.
“Hardest worker on the team…nobody prepares more, goes hard every play,” head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “He does everything he can to be the best he can be”
Cignetti also mentioned Becker’s efficiency. His five touchdown catches this season have come on a total of seven receptions.
Every single one of Becker’s catches on Saturday went for scores, finishing the game with three catches for 81 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
Becker attributed his early season success to his offseason work with new assistant wide receivers coach Eddie Burks. Jr.
“Working with coach Eddie…on everything that goes into being a receiver…he’s been amazing,” Becker said postgame. “Coach Eddie has been unbelievable for the receivers. He’s always ready to work.”
Becker’s early-season efficiency has directly correlated with the efficiency in the passing game. Josh Hoover has thrown eight touchdown passes on just 19 completions through two weeks. More than half of those touchdowns have been connections with the 6-foot-4, 208 pound wide receiver.
“It’s all coach Shanahan, coach Cignetti and coach Tino. They do a fantastic job of teaching us how to read the defenses,” Becker added. “We have the best coaches in the world.”
If Becker continues his current level of production through the remainder of the season, he is setting himself up as a prime prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft, should he declare.
At this time last season, Becker was playing fourth quarter snaps in blowout wins over teams like Kennesaw State and Indiana State. Now, he is the undisputed WR1 in Bloomington, leading the No. 5 Hoosiers in their national title defense.
Indiana will look to finish their non-conference slate on a high note, as they will welcome in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers next Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern on Peacock.
