IU football roster updates: Omar Cooper Jr. declares for 2026 NFL draft

The IU football roster for the 2026 season continues to take shape just a week after the Hoosiers won the College Football national championship last Monday in Miami.

The latest domino to fall: Standout Omar Cooper Jr. has entered his name into the 2026 NFL draft.

Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reported the news late Monday morning and Cooper Jr. confirmed it on his social media accounts about 25 minutes later.

Cooper Jr., along with D’Angelo Ponds and Fernando Mendoza, are the three Hoosiers with eligibility remaining who are off to the NFL.

A native of Indianapolis, Cooper Jr., IU’s leading receiver last season, made 69 catches for 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hoosiers last season. He finished his IU career with 1,798 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns.

IU made two significant additions in the transfer portal at receiver with Michigan State’s Nick Marsh and Tulane’s Shazz Preston.

In addition to those departures, several Hoosiers have confirmed their returns to Bloomington for the 2026 season in recent days.

Among the public announcements that have taken place: OL Bray Lynch, DT Tyrique Tucker, OT Carter Smith, WR Charlie Becker, DL Mario Landino and defensive back Amare Ferrell.

Thank you Lord?? and Thank you Hoosier Nation!?? pic.twitter.com/qitFArSXEC

— Omar Cooper Jr (@TheOmarCooper) January 26, 2026

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