Indiana
Indiana Football Position Previews: When It Comes To Receivers? Old Is Gold For Hoosiers
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – If there’s one word to describe Indiana’s wide receiver group? That word is old.
In college football? Old is gold.
Of Indiana’s 14 players listed at wide receiver, only four of them are underclassmen. There are four seniors playing their extra season due to COVID-19 amnesty, one redshirt senior and two more traditional seniors.
Add in three more juniors, and the Hoosiers have an upperclassmen group that would be the envy of any team.
Among all of the receivers, there’s a total of 292 games played. Several of the receivers weren’t just padding the numbers against weaker competition, either. Six of them have produced in a Power Four conference. Four of Indiana’s receivers have received all-conference honors of some kind.
If you want to view the talent pool from a glass half-empty perspective, you might wonder how all of these talented receivers share the ball? Especially considering there’s an equally deep running back group who wants the ball, too.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti isn’t worried about it.
“I am not worried about the gelling and them being best friends, but what I am worried about – and I am not worried because I like that room – the cream rises to the top,” Cignetti said during spring practice.
“Who comes out and practices every day, day in and day out consistency, who learns the plays, who does the right thing, who makes plays, who gives consistent effort. Who doesn’t know their plays and who is inconsistent,” Cignetti added.
Fall camp has not necessarily created a group of have’s and have not’s. The Hoosiers are still working with a deep group, and with Kurtis Rourke most likely delivering the passes, big things are expected from the Indiana passing game.
Personnel
#0 Andison Coby: senior-plus, 6-foot-1, 178 pounds. 24 games at Indiana, 5 games at Tennessee.
#4 Myles Price: senior-plus, 5-foot-9, 183 pounds. 42 games at Texas Tech.
#5 Ke’Shawn Williams: senior-plus, 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, 46 games at Wake Forest.
#7 E.J. Williams Jr.: senior-plus, 6-foot-4, 203 pounds, 33 games at Clemson, 8 games at Indiana.
#10 Derin McCulley: redshirt senior, 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, 9 games at Ball State, 8 games at Indiana.
#1 Donaven McCulley: senior, 6-foot-5, 203 pounds, 31 games at Indiana.
#19 Miles Cross: senior, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, 37 games at Ohio University.
#83 Eli Jochem: redshirt junior, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds.
#89 Camden Jordan: redshirt junior, 6-foot-0, 180 pounds, 5 games at Indiana.
#13 Elijah Sarratt: junior, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, 25 games at James Madison.
#3 Omar Cooper Jr.: redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-0, 201 pounds, 13 games at Indiana.
#24 Jackson Wasserstrom: redshirt sophomore, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, 1 game at Indiana.
#81 Brady Simmons: redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-1, 173 pounds, 5 games at Indiana.
#80 Charlie Becker: freshman, 6-foot-4, 204 pounds.
Top expected contributors: Donaven McCulley, Myles Price, E.J. Williams, Ke’Shawn Williams, Miles Cross, Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr.
Contributors who departed from the 2023 team: Dequece Carter, Cam Camper (to Boise State).
Transfer infusion
There’s a lot of exciting talent here. Perhaps none more so than Elijah Sarratt, one of the 13 Hoosiers who were previously with Cignetti at James Madison.
Sarratt had a breakout season for JMU in 2023. He had 82 catches for 1,191 yards and eight touchdown. Sarratt was first team All-Sun Belt for his efforts.
“I’ve improved a lot. If you check my film from freshman year to now, I’ve improved on a lot of things, but nowhere near where I want to be,” Sarratt said during spring practice. “I came here because the coaching staff was a great coaching staff. They gave me the ball in spots I wanted to be put in.”
Sarratt also said the detail-oriented staff has helped him to improve.
“If I’m one yard off my split, I’m wrong, which is good. You’ve got to be where they want you to be so the whole play works out,” Sarratt said.
Three more transfers – Ke’Shawn Williams, Myles Price and Miles Cross – have 115 games of experience between them.
Of the trio, Price has been getting consistent playing time for the longest period of time.
Price was a regular part of Texas Tech’s receiving options from his first season with the Red Raiders in 2020. He peaked at 523 receiving yards in 2021 and at 51 catches in 2022, but Price has never had less than 29 receptions in a single season. His career numbers are impressive at 161 catches, 1,751 yards and 10 touchdown catches.
He was also used on jet sweeps at times with Texas Tech.
Williams emerged in 2021 for Wake Forest. His best statistical season came in 2022 when he had 39 catches for 553 yards.
Cross has the advantage of having played with Rourke at Ohio University. The pair combined for 94 receptions, 1,177 yards and eight touchdowns over the past two seasons at the Athens, Ohio, school.
Returning players
The most important player from Indiana’s 2023 roster that Cignetti convinced to stay is undoubtedly Donaven McCulley. The 6-foot-5 converted quarterback became a dangerous weapon for the Hoosiers in the second half of the 2023 season.
McCulley had 48 catches for 644 yards and six touchdown catches in 2023. McCulley and former quarterback Brendan Sorsby really came into sync in the final five games of 2023. McCulley had 28 catches for 420 yards and five touchdowns over that stretch.
McCulley was particularly deadly on fade routes or corner routes as he used his size and leaping ability to out-stretch opposing defenders.
Not that McCulley is being handed anything. With the competition at his position, he had to keep pushing and continue to be pushed.
“Coming back to Indiana, just talking to Coach (Cignetti), I told him, ‘Coach me hard, do what you’ve got to do.’ Him getting on me in the spring? It challenged me and it kind of helped me learn how he and the team operates,” McCulley said.
E.J. Williams Jr. is also back in the fold. In his first season at Indiana after coming from Clemson, Williams had 23 catches for 281 yards. He proved effective when healthy, but he only played in eight games in 2023 and has missed some time in fall camp.
Also back is one of the few underclassmen with playing experience – Omar Cooper Jr. The redshirt sophomore had 18 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
“Coop’s done a good job. He’s put some good days together. He’s a guy that has a lot of ability. He has great hands and good body control,” Indiana co-offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said.
Veteran Andison Coby, who had an 18-catch season in 2022, is also part of the rotation.
The bottom line
The depth at the receiver spot is inarguable. The only debate that might occur among Indiana fans is whether the wide receivers or the running backs have the most depth on the offensive side of the ball.
Rourke won’t have any need to worry about legitimate targets. If the experienced quarterback can marshal the Indiana offense the way he’s expected to, it could be a very exciting season for the Hoosiers.
Indiana
Severe storm risk into tonight through early Wednesday morning
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We are monitoring the potential for severe weather into early Wednesday morning.
Tornado Watch in effect until EDT midnight March 10, 2026, for Benton, Newton, and Jasper counties.
Tuesday night: Please make sure you have your safety plan on standby into tonight through pre-dawn Wednesday morning. There is now a level 4/5 severe risk in northwest Indiana. Much of central Indiana remains in a level 2/5 risk.
The risk for significant tornadoes (EF2+) and very large hail (2″+) is greatest north of I-70 with any discrete cell(s) that maintain their-selves into mainly northern Indiana. There is also potential for a max expected intensity of an EF-3+ tornado within much (if not all) of the level 3 & 4 risk zone.
This does not mean that every storm will produce a tornado of that magnitude. It is simply highlighting area of highest concern for the possibility of such occurrence.
Now, given a modestly unstable environment into the pre-dawn hours Wednesday with stronger wind flow aloft, all hazards will remain possible into central Indiana. The significant severe threat here is much lower.
Overall, you need to have multiple ways of being able to get alerts tonight. Do not be scared, be prepared and you will be ok.
Wednesday: Beyond sunrise Wednesday, we will continue to track more in the way of showers and storms. The main area of the strong-severe storm risk looks to shift mainly southeast of Indy with damaging winds the primary concern through the morning into afternoon hours.
Rainfall amounts through Wednesday may amount to 1-2″ with locally higher amounts.
Highs to occur earlier in the day with numbers in the mid to upper 60s. Non-thunderstorm winds will also be quite breezy with gusts up to 30-35 MPH.
Thursday: Be prepared for quite a temperature shift into Thursday. We will start the day off with temperatures in the low 30 with 20s wind chills. Yeah, that will not feel great considering our recent stretch of more mild days. Highs will only get into the upper 40s.
7-Day Forecast: We look to warm back up into this weekend, but it will come with more active weather and breezy winds. Friday will feature highs in the mid to upper 50s with wind gusts up to 25-30 MPH. Highs look to tick back into the low 60s Sunday with more chances for rain. Then, temperatures really take a tumble into next Monday with highs only in the 30s and a chance for a rain/snow mix.
Indiana
Future of Chicago’s Soldier Field Uncertain as Bears Eye Move to Indiana
Change could be coming to Chicago’s Soldier Field, a historic landmark initially designed as a memorial for American soldiers who died in combat. Opened in 1924, and home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears since 1971, the 102 year old venue’s future is uncertain as the team is exploring a new stadium, possibility across the Illinois state line in Hammond, Indiana.
“The fact that they’re even considering coming to Hammond versus keeping it in their own state says a lot about what we’re going to try to do to tell everyone Indiana is a place move your business,” said Governor Mike Braun (R-Indiana), in a televised news conference Monday, monitored by Military.com. The governor’s remarks addressed a range of issues related to the end of the state’s legislative session.
“We’re proud that we’ve put together a package to attract $2 Billion worth of investment from the Chicago Bears,” said the governor of Senate Bill 27, which he signed last week. “They’re now looking at Indiana as a place to actually bring that franchise.”
With a seating capacity of more than 100,000 spectators. Soldier Field is used not only for Bears games, but as a site for many other sporting events and exhibitions, including numerous Army-Navy games. But without an anchor sports team like the Bears, the stadium will likely be used less and Chicago could see less tax revenue.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson telling reporters Monday, the Bears were offered an opportunity to build a new stadium inside the city limits, as a way to stay in Illinois.
“We had an entire press conference, with a proposal on the lakefront two years ago,” Mayor Johnson said in a news conference. “How do you have an entire proposal with the Bears, with the city of Chicago, with labor, with the notion that somehow the greatest, the most fruitful, economic viable prime real estate anywhere in the state, anywhere in the region is somehow not suited?”
There’s another proposed site on the table. Illinois lawmakers in the House have advanced House Bill 910, which would lock in property tax rates at the former Arlington Racetrack, in Arlington Heights about 30 miles from Soldier Field. The Bears already own the land, but the bill is still in its early stages and already has some critics.
“It would shift [tax] liability directly onto homeowners and small businesses,” said Brian Costin, deputy state director of the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity, in a statement to Military.com. “It could double or triple the effective property tax rates over the next few decades.”
For now, the Bears have not made a commitment to move to Indiana or stay in Illinois.
The Bears said in a statement, “Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27 establishing the framework for a stadium development in Northwest Indiana. We continue to work on the necessary due diligence and appreciate the .”ongoing engagement with Indiana state and local leaders.”
The team also addressed Illinois efforts to keep the team from leaving Soldier Field or Illinois altogether.
“We recognize and appreciate the advancement of mega project legislation by the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee,” said the statement from the Bears. “We look forward to continued engagement as the lawmakers determine the legislative path forward.”
In Indiana, Governor Braun hopes the better deal will be for the Bears to abandon Soldier Field for new digs across the Illinois border, in Hammond.
“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” Braun said in a statement obtained by Military.com. “We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.”
Indiana
Indiana Pacers Slide as 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Rise
The Indiana Pacers are making a real argument to be the worst team in the NBA this season.
The Pacers could become the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach 50 losses this season if they don’t beat the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night. Power rankings across the internet have the Pacers and Kings as the bottom two teams in the league.
NBA.com, John Schuhmann (30, no change)
“With the Jazz beating the Wizards on Thursday and the Nets’ incredible comeback in Detroit over the weekend, the Pacers are the only team without a win (they’re 0-9) since the All-Star break. Seven of those nine losses have come against other teams with losing records,” Schuhmann wrote.
“The Pacers and Kings are now tied for the fewest wins (15), and they’ll meet for the second (and final) time on Tuesday, with the Pacers having won the first meeting (Dec. 8) behind 28 points and 12 assists from Nembhard. That’s the end of the Pacers’ four-game trip, and they’ll then return home and begin their only stretch of five games in seven days.”
The Athletic, Law Murray (30, no change)
“The Pacers are the only team in the league without a win since the All-Star break, so they’re comfortably nestled at the bottom of these rankings. Indiana was only regular bad for the third quarter of the season overall, though the interior defense has been slammed like brakes,” Murray wrote.
“If they don’t win Tuesday in Sacramento in the Tyrese Haliburton trade bowl, then they’ll have to go and upset a team that is trying to secure wins for the rest of the March schedule.”
Clutch Points, Brett Siegel (29, down 1)
“As soon as Tyrese Haliburton went down with his Achilles injury, everyone knew that the Indiana Pacers would be taking a step back. The decision for this to be a gap year and completely tank was made after several impactful players, like Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard, all went down with injuries,” Siegel wrote.
“After all, a team that found success through its depth is nothing when all of its key talents are injured.
“The Pacers own the second-worst record in the NBA right now, giving them a real shot at getting the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Remember, Indiana will keep their selection this season if it falls inside the top four, which have a 52.1 percent chance of happening.”
Overview
It’s hard to argue the Pacers not being in this position because they’ve only won 15 games so far this season. On top of that, their last victory came on February 11, which was the final game before the All-Star break.
This isn’t exactly a bad thing for the Pacers, however, because they need that first-round pick to return to them in the draft. If they get the wrong shake in the lottery, the Pacers could be forced to give up their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade.
The Pacers should use the rest of the season to figure out who fits in their system and develop their young players in hopes of some of them cracking the rotation for next season and beyond.
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