Indiana football players to watch as potential 2026 NFL Draft picks

In the 2025 NFL Draft this past weekend, two former Indiana football players heard their names called, as C.J. West and Kurtis Rourke were selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth and seventh rounds, respectively.

That begs the question: Which members of the 2025 Hoosiers could be drafted into the NFL in 2026?

There’s talent on both sides of the ball for Indiana, as the Hoosiers have returning All-Americans on defense, while their offense has skilled players on the line, in the backfield and out wide. This gives IU a plethora of options for who could hear their name called next April, but I’ve narrowed the list to five names, with some honorable mentions mixed in as well.

Indiana’s expectations are at an all-time high entering the 2025 season, but let’s take a look at which Hoosiers could elevate to the next level after Year Two of the Curt Cignetti era is all said and done.

CB D’ANGELO PONDS

When discussing Hoosiers that could be draft picks next year, D’Angelo Ponds‘ name immediately comes to mind. As a true junior this upcoming season, he’ll be eligible for the draft for the first time in 2026 and don’t be surprised if he forgoes his last season of college eligibility to turn pro.

In his freshman season with James Madison in 2023, Ponds immediately made an impact. He totaled 52 tackles with two interceptions, earning him second-team All-Sun Belt, freshman All-America and Freshman Cornerback of the Year honors.

After this wildly successful freshman year, Ponds followed Cignetti and staff from JMU to IU, and didn’t miss a beat as a sophomore. He totaled 55 tackles and added three interceptions, including one that went for a 67-yard touchdown against Washington.

Ponds received second-team All-America honors, while also being named to the All-Big Ten first team by both the coaches and media. Honors like this usually mean a player is destined to leave for the draft, but as only a sophomore, Ponds wasn’t able to declare and has to play another season in college before he can make a decision.

That brings us to 2025, where Ponds will suit up in the cream and crimson once more, but with even more draft stock behind him. With another season like his first two, Ponds has a phenomenal shot to be drafted, with potential for a second- or even first-round pick.

DL MIKAIL KAMARA

Another James Madison transfer, Mikail Kamara, has earned All-America honors like Ponds, but unlike Ponds, he could’ve entered the draft in 2025.

Despite that, Kamara decided to return to Bloomington for his final season of eligibility, as he comes in with a ton of upside in his new position for 2025. That position is what Indiana calls the “stud” and is a mix of defensive end and outside linebacker.

Kamara is expected to anchor the Indiana defense, and that’s no surprise considering his 47 tackles and 10 sacks a season ago. This is what gave him a spot on the All-Big Ten first team by both the coaches and media, but it also led him to the All-America teams, second or third team depending on the outlet.

This success followed up a solid 2023 campaign with JMU, as he was on the second-team All-Sun Belt with Ponds, and was a standout pass rusher for the Dukes.

In 2024 though, Kamara led the FBS in total pressures according to Pro Football Focus, and was the rock that the Indiana defense was built on. He had some draft buzz surrounding him after the Hoosiers’ 11-2 season, meaning that his stock should only rise with another season of sacking quarterbacks in Memorial Stadium.

LB AIDEN FISHER

The third All-American on the Indiana defense comes in as another 2026 draft hopeful, as Aiden Fisher was the de facto captain of the Hoosier defensive unit and decided to come back for more in 2025.

He had some draft buzz, albeit not as much as Ponds or Kamara, but with another year of experience, Fisher could be on draft boards for next season due to his elite skills defending both the run and the pass.

Fisher totaled 49 tackles for the Hoosiers, leading the team, while he also registered 1.5 sacks. This earned him first-team All-America status according to the Football Writers Association of America, marking the first time an Indiana linebacker received such an award.

Before joining the Hoosiers, Fisher was an impact player for James Madison just like Ponds and Kamara, totaling 50 tackles in 2023 as a sophomore and earning an All-Sun Belt third-team spot.

With his leadership ability, coupled with his presence on the field, Fisher is a prime candidate to play at the next level, as he may join his former James Madison and current Indiana All-American teammates on the draft stage in 2026.

WR ELIJAH SARRATT

We’re four for four with former James Madison players now, as the former Duke Elijah Sarratt is the first offensive player who fans need to look out for when it comes to playing at the next level.

Sarratt started his career at FCS school St. Francis (Pa.) in 2022 where he caught 42 passes for 700 yards and 13 touchdowns. This solid freshman campaign earned him a spot with JMU, where he blossomed as a sophomore, totaling 82 receptions for 1,191 yards and eight scores. This earned him first-team All-Sun Belt honors, while he was ranked in the top 25 in nearly every single receiving category.

Sarratt followed Cignetti and others to Indiana after the 2023 season, and he immediately became the go-to receiver for the Hoosiers. He caught 53 passes for 957 yards and totaled eight receiving TDs, all first on the Indiana offense. This earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors.

While he wasn’t necessarily highly touted in NFL circles after 2024, with another productive season in 2025, it wouldn’t be a shock if Sarratt was selected next April after finishing up his college career this fall.

OL CARTER SMITH

Carter Smith comes in as the first player on this list to begin his career at Indiana, as he’s started all 25 games of his college career at left tackle for the Hoosiers.

In his freshman season in 2023, Smith was a bright spot on a 3-9 Indiana football team, but he only got better when he entered his sophomore season. 2024 brought more success for Smith, as he impressed and finished as the 33rd-best tackle in all of the FBS according to PFF.

At 6-foot-5, 308 pounds, he has all the physical tools to compete at the next level, and with his years as an experienced starter, he’s proven he can contend with the top defenders in the Big Ten.

After his junior year in 2025, Smith will finally be eligible for the NFL Draft, meaning that he could leave IU early for the pros. With another season under his belt, this could become likely, as he’s become one of the best left tackles in the country and still has room for improvement before the 2026 draft.

SEE MORE (On3+): Multiple Indiana players highly-rated in early Pro Football Focus 2026 NFL Draft Big Board

OTHER NAMES TO MONITOR FOR FUTURE DRAFTS

• QB Fernando Mendoza
• OL Bray Lynch
• DB Amare Ferrell
• DL Tyrique Tucker

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