Indiana’s Historic NFL Draft: Breaking Down Every Hoosier Pick and What Comes Next

Indiana football just turned a championship season into a historic NFL Draft.On this episode of The Big Red Carpet, Rhett Lewis recaps a record-setting weekend for the Hoosiers, with eight players selected—breaking a program mark that had stood for nearly 50 years and signaling a new era for IU football.Rhett takes you pick-by-pick through the class, starting with No. 1 overall selection Fernando Mendoza and what makes him a franchise cornerstone—not just as a quarterback, but as a leader and person. From there, it’s a deep dive into every Hoosier drafted, including Omar Cooper’s first-round landing spot, D’Angelo Ponds’ perfect scheme fit, and Kaelon Black’s rise into a Day 2 selection.You’ll also get insight into why teams valued players like Elijah Sarratt, Pat Coogan, and Aiden Fisher, plus a look at undrafted free agents finding their way into NFL camps.More than a recap, this episode closes the book on Indiana’s title run—and shows just how sustainable this program’s rise might be.