2025 IU football position preview: Wide receiver and tight end

With the 2025 football season kicking off next month, Inside the Hall is providing a position-by-position preview of the roster. Up next: Wide receiver and tight end.

Previously: Quarterback, Running back, Offensive line

As it was with each of the offensive position groups, Indiana’s pass catchers weren’t dominated by one particular receiver. Instead, it was a top-to-bottom effort from receivers and tight ends alike that aided the offense to over 41 points per game last season.

Both roles were packed with transfers, with a couple of returners sprinkled in. The Indiana receiving room totaled 246 catches for 3,397 yards and 33 touchdowns in the 2024 campaign.

With departures of Miles Cross, Myles Price, KeShawn Williams, and Zach Horton, Indiana will once again be spearheaded by senior wideout Elijah Sarratt.

Projected wide receiver depth chart

Starters: Elijah Sarratt (Sr.), Omar Cooper Jr. (R-Jr.)
Rotation: Jonathan Brady (Sr., California), E.J. Williams (R-Sr+), Charlie Becker (So.)
Depth: LeBron Bond (Fr.), Myles Kendrick (Fr.), Davion Chandler (Fr.)

Elijah Sarratt

After announcing his return for his senior season, Sarratt is set to be Indiana’s top receiving option in 2025.

The former FCS All-American made an immediate impact in his first season with Indiana, leading the team with 53 catches for 957 yards and eight touchdowns. Sarratt earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media and second-team honors from the Associated Press.

With expectations set high, Sarratt’s senior year could shape up to be an All-American campaign.

Omar Cooper Jr.

A surprise to many, Cooper Jr. broke out last season after stepping into a larger role following Donovan McCulley’s redshirt and transfer to Michigan.

The Lawrence North graduate caught a pass in all but one game last season, finishing with 28 receptions for 594 yards and seven touchdowns, second amongst Indiana receivers behind Sarratt.

As the surefire number two option in the receiving room, Cooper Jr. will not be a surprise to many defenses. Cooper Jr. will have to find new ways to complement Sarratt as the Hoosiers’ duo aims to repeat its dominance of last season.

Rotation: Jonathan Brady, E.J. Williams Jr., Charlie Becker, Makai Jackson

After Michigan transfer Tyler Morris went down in spring ball with a non-contact injury, Indiana had to find its third wide receiver late in the portal window. Brady immediately fit the mold.

A transfer from California, Brady already has a connection with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, having caught 74 passes in two years together at Berkeley with the Golden Bears.

Being on and off the field in rotation with other receivers, Brady will likely see a role similar to Miles Price last season.

Among the rotational receivers, Williams Jr. will have a second crack, returning to Indiana after entering the portal in October. He appeared in four games last season before taking his redshirt due to a lack of playing time.

Avoiding injuries will keep Williams Jr. in the rotation of slot receivers for his final season of collegiate eligibility.

Becker appeared in 12 games in his freshman season, mostly in his special-teams role. However, the Nashville native’s stock soared in spring ball, earning an opportunity to see the field in his sophomore season.

Jackson started his career at St. Francis (Pa.), earning FCS All-America honors his freshman year.

Jackson appeared in all 11 games for Appalachian State last year, catching one pass in each game. The junior posted two 100-plus yard performances in the final two weeks of the season, finishing with 745 yards and five touchdowns.

With 134 rushing yards on just 18 carries, Jackson’s speed could land him a role in Indiana’s strong RPO game.

Depth: LeBron Bond, Myles Kendrick, Davion Chandler

All three freshman receivers turned heads in spring camp as Bond and Kendrick looked comfortable in the spring game, catching a combined five catches for 47 yards.

Though it is unlikely that any of the trio will see significant playing time, they could make their names known in the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Projected tight end depth chart

Starter: Holden Staes (Sr., Tennessee)
Rotation: Riley Nowakowski (R-Sr+, Wisconsin)
Depth: James Bomba (R-Sr.)

Holden Staes

A transfer from Tennessee, Staes has had a fair share of ups and downs throughout his career. Before his stop in Knoxville, the Atlanta native spent two years at the University of Notre Dame.

Staes played in all 13 games for the Vols last season, starting three, and had 15 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Though he hasn’t been dependable throughout his career, Staes’ pass-catching abilities speak for themselves, making it hard for him not to be on the field as the starting tight end.

Riley Nowakowski

Horton took immense pride in his run-blocking role last season, earning praise from head coach Curt Cignetti along the way. With Horton gone, Nowakowski will take the reins as the blocking tight end for Indiana this season.

The Wisconsin transfer caught only 11 passes for 74 yards last season, but his blocking ability drew the coaching staff’s attention.

Nowakowski will see the field a bunch for his senior season in Bloomington, but likely in a role as a blocking tight end.

James Bomba

A familiar name amongst the slew of transfers, Bomba will likely have a limited role in his final season at Indiana.

Bomba saw a drastic decrease in playing time last season, appearing in eight games and catching one pass, a far cry from his 11 catches in the two seasons prior.

Outlook

Indiana’s receiver room brings plenty of upside into the season. Despite Morris’ spring injury, the group still has the depth and potential to provide a similar spark as last year.

Sarratt and Cooper’s success may hinge on whether the rotational receivers emerge as reliable threats.

Tight end might be the offense’s weakest link, but Staes’ pass-catching and Nowakowski’s blocking could make the unit a pleasant surprise by August.

The passing game has long been a strength in Cignetti’s offenses, and with Mendoza at quarterback, there’s reason to believe this group of pass catchers will thrive.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

Category: Football

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