Preseason recognition continues to roll in for Indiana football’s loaded 2026 roster.
Safety Amare Ferrell was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday. The award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Ferrell has been a key contributor throughout his three-year IU football career and a full-time starter each of the last two seasons. Overall he has appeared in 41 career games with 28 starts. Ferrell ranks tied for No. 16 on the IU career interceptions charts with eight.
Wide receiver Charlie Becker is on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. That award recognizes the FBS player who best combines exemplary service with leadership and achievement on and off the field.
Becker has appeared in 28 games with eight starts through two seasons. He had a breakout 2025 season, with 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns
Four Hoosiers are on the Lombardi Award Watch List — Isaiah Jones, Tyrique Tucker, Rolijah Hardy and Carter Smith. The award is named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi and the list includes 54 of the nation’s top linemen and linebackers from across all FBS conferences and independents.
MORE IU PLAYERS ON 2026 PRESEASON WATCH LISTS
- Lou Groza Award – Nico Radicic
- Rimington Trophy – Bray Lynch
- Nagurki Trophy – Rolijah Hardy, Isaiah Jones, Tyrique Tucker, Amare Ferrell
- Outland Trophy – Carter Smith and Tyrique Tucker
- Maxwell Award – Josh Hoover
- Mannelly Award – Drew Clausen
- Good Works Team – Charlie Becker
- Dodd Trophy — Curt Cignetti
- Lott Trophy — Tyrique Tucker and Jamari Sharpe
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- You can follow us on X: @daily_hoosier and find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
