While Indiana quarterback and 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and his teammates solidified their collective draft stock with last season’s undefeated run to the College Football Playoff National Championship, another group of Hoosiers right behind them was also making names for themselves.
Perhaps no player out of that group of returnees did more for themselves over the late-season run of games than wide receiver Charlie Becker, who was a relative unknown midway through his sophomore season and ended the year as a projected 1st-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Becker showed no signs of releasing his grip on that status in Saturday’s season opener against North Texas, where he had 4 receptions for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“Charlie Becker has some of the best ball skills of any WR in the 2027 NFL Draft,” Pro Football Network’s Jacob Brigante wrote on his official X account. “Unbelievable hands and tremendous body control attacking the ball in the air. He could be a top-10 pick when it’s all said and done.”
Breakout Star in Indiana’s Historic Postseason Run
The 6-foot-4, 204-pound Becker was 1 of Indiana’s breakout stars in the postseason, starting with 6 receptions for 126 yards in a 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Becker finished his sophomore season with 34 receptions for 679 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 27 receptions for 552 yards and all 4 touchdowns over the final 7 games. That includes touchdown receptions in playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon.
“I’m not sure how high they’ll all be drafted when the time comes, but the receiving trio of Elijah Sarratt, Charlie Becker, and Omar Cooper Jr is one of the most fun in recent memory,” NFL influencer Bengal YouTube wrote on their official X account in January.
“Fernando Mendoza: 152.5 Passer Rating when targeting Charlie Becker,” PFF College Football wrote on X. “Highest among all QB/WR duos in college football.”
Becker Comes From Family of Elite Athletes
Becker comes from a family of athletes, most notably led by his father, former Ohio State linebacker and professional baseball player Dave Becker.
Dave Becker starred as a linebacker in football and as a catcher in baseball at powerhouse Cincinnati Elder High School and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 1992 MLB draft.
He played 3 seasons of minor league baseball, spending 1 season in rookie ball and 2 seasons in Class A for the Blue Jays before he decided to return to football and enroll at Ohio State, where he played linebacker.
Charlie Becker’s older brother, Cole Becker, plays linebacker for Appalachian State.
Indiana Wide Receiver’s NFL Stock Soars After 2-TD Season Opener