Six NFL teams have already reported for training camp, and every team will have done so by Tuesday, July 28.
With the season just around the corner, now is a perfect time to take a look at former Hoosiers who are battling for roster spots. As of Sunday morning there are 27 former IU players at NFL camps. From now to the end of camp, roster sizes will be cut from 90 to 53 players.
There is a very noticeable trend throughout the list. The majority of Hoosiers in the NFL are first or second-year players who played under Curt Cignetti for at least one season, including 15 players who were a part of the 2025-2026 team that won the program’s first national championship.
Cignetti’s impact expands beyond the collegiate level. While Indiana used to be lucky to have any players drafted, now, they have become one of the leaders in producing NFL-ready talent.
The best reflection of this change was Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza being selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, the first Hoosier drafted No. 1 since 1938.
Key dates ahead of the 2026 NFL season:
Aug. 6: Hall of Fame Game: Panthers vs Cardinals
Aug. 13-15: First Preseason Weekend
Aug. 20-23: Second Preseason Weekend
Aug. 27-29: Third Preseason Weekend
Aug. 30: Rosters must be cut down to 53 players prior to 6 p.m. ET
Sept. 9-14: NFL Kickoff Weekend
FORMER HOOSIERS CURRENTLY ON 90-MAN ROSTERS:
- Kahlil Benson, Kansas City Chiefs, Offensive Tackle
- Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers, Running Back
- Devan Boykin, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cornerback
- Jonathan Brady, Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver
- Pat Coogan, Tennessee Titans, Center
- Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets, Wide Receiver
- Dan Feeney, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Offensive Guard
- Aiden Fisher, Houston Texans, Linebacker
- Luke Haggard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Offensive Guard
- Roman Hemby, Las Vegas Raiders, Running Back
- Zach Horton, Detroit Lions, Tight End
- Mikail Kamara, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive End
- Raheem Layne, New York Giants, Safety
- Marcelino McCrary-Ball, New York Jets, Linebacker
- Micah McFadden, New York Giants, Linebacker
- Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders, Quarterback
- Louis Moore, Miami Dolphins, Safety
- Riley Nowakowski, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tight End
- D’Angelo Ponds, New York Jets, Cornerback
- Myles Price, Minnesota Vikings, Wide Receiver
- Kurtis Rourke, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback
- Elijah Sarratt, Baltimore Ravens, Wide Receiver
- Ian Thomas, Las Vegas Raiders, Tight End
- C.J. West, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Tackle
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Indianapolis Colts, Wide Receiver
- E.J. Williams Jr., Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver
- Ke’Shawn Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, Wide Receiver
Note: The New York Giants waived linebacker Cam Jones on Saturday.
Total IU Players by NFL Team:
- Las Vegas Raiders: 5
- San Francisco 49ers: 4
- New York Jets: 3
- New York Giants: 2
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 2
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2
- Baltimore Ravens: 1
- Cincinnati Bengals: 1
- Detroit Lions: 1
- Houston Texans: 1
- Indianapolis Colts: 1
- Kansas City Chiefs: 1
- Miami Dolphins: 1
- Minnesota Vikings: 1
- Tennessee Titans: 1
These are the players who finished their collegiate careers at Indiana. Other notable former Hoosiers in the NFL include QB Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta), Super Bowl Champion TE A.J. Barner (Seattle), and cornerback Reese Taylor (Denver).
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