Omar Cooper, Charlie Becker aim to seize opportunity in thin Indiana receiver room

With injuries and inexperience chipping away at Indiana football’s wide receiver room, the Hoosiers are turning to familiar faces to shoulder a bigger load in 2025. Two names rising to the challenge this spring are redshirt junior Omar Cooper and sophomore Charlie Becker.

Indiana entered the offseason with hopes of bolstering its depth through the transfer portal. The Hoosiers landed Tyler Morris from Michigan and Makai Jackson from Appalachian State. They also got veteran wideout E.J. Williams back out of the portal after it looked like he was gone for good.

But just a few weeks into spring camp, head coach Curt Cignetti announced Morris suffered a season-ending non-contact knee injury—a major blow to a position group that’s already running thin.

RELATED: Coach Q&A: Curt Cignetti provides spring practice updates for Indiana

“We’re thin number-wise, that’s for sure right now,” Cignetti said a few weeks ago. “We’re going to bring a number of walk-ons in this summer and fall so we have enough. I think the freshmen in time will be okay… I like the guys that are out there.”

Despite the lack of depth, Indiana has a strong foundation in returning leader Elijah Sarratt and Cooper, who’s coming off a breakout 2024 season. The duo is expected to form one of the more dynamic outside receiver tandems in the Big Ten.

Cooper, a former Lawrence North High School standout, stepped into a bigger role last year and didn’t disappoint. He finished the season with 594 receiving yards—26th in the Big Ten—and tied for 10th in the conference with seven touchdown grabs. After showing flashes in 2023, Cooper fully capitalized on his opportunity last fall under Cignetti, earning a starting role during camp and never looking back.

But for Cignetti, the job isn’t finished.

“Omar Cooper has the ability to be an outstanding football player,” Cignetti said. “I think Omar can be as good as he wants to be. He’s got to get rid of the inconsistencies and set higher standards for himself and have the discipline and commitment to achieve his goals.”

Cignetti has coached his share of elite receivers—Julio Jones during his time at Alabama comes to mind—and while he’s not putting Cooper in that tier just yet, he sees real potential.

“He’s got to do it day in day out and play in play out,” Cignetti added. “The talent is there, the flashes are there… but he can’t be up and down.”

While Cooper is expected to be a cornerstone out wide, Becker’s rise might be even more important to the unit’s stability. After playing almost exclusively on special teams as a freshman, Becker has used this spring to carve out a larger role. The Nashville native has caught Cignetti’s attention, especially with his size (6’4”, 204 lbs) and downfield ability.

“I’ve seen Becker take a step,” Cignetti said. “I’m excited about his future. I like Becker.”

TRENDING: Alberto’s guidance helping Fernando Mendoza hit the ground running at Indiana

Cignetti emphasized Becker’s consistency and effort during spring practices, praising his willingness to compete every day.

“He gives good effort every day,” Cignetti said. “He’s made some plays down the field. He’s tough.”

With Jackson still adjusting to Power Five competition, and the rest of the room largely made up of true freshmen, Cooper and Becker’s roles are more critical than ever. Cooper is being counted on to lead by example, while Becker may be stepping into meaningful snaps faster than expected.

The margin for error in Indiana’s wide receiver room may be slim, but the opportunity is wide open—and two familiar faces are ready to seize it.