IU Football WR & TE Preview: Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker & Tight End Questions

CrimsonCast / BHN continues its 2026 positional preview series with a deep dive into the Hoosiers’ wide receivers and tight ends — two groups that will help determine how quickly Josh Hoover settles into Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan’s offense.Galen Clavio breaks down what Indiana lost from last year’s passing game, including Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., E.J. Williams, and Riley Nowakowski, then looks at how the 2026 group could be rebuilt around Charlie Becker, Nick Marsh, Shazz Preston, and Tyler Morris. The episode focuses heavily on efficiency, alignment, drop rate, average depth of target, slot usage, contested catches, and why Indiana’s passing game works best when the run game keeps the offense ahead of schedule.The second half shifts to tight end, where Indiana has a fascinating but unproven room featuring Blake Thiry, Andrew Barker, Brock Schott, Trevor Gibbs, PJ MacFarlane, and others. Galen discusses who might replace Nowakowski’s do-everything role, who could emerge as a blocker, who may be the best receiving option, and why the first month of the season will reveal how much trust the staff has in this group.Check out our IU running back room preview podcast here.Check out our preview of the quarterbacks (well, really just Josh Hoover) here. Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana football, IU athletics, Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers, Big Ten football, and the 2026 college football season.