Indiana star receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is trading a shot at another national title to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Omar Cooper Jr. has improved by leaps and bounds during his time at Indiana. He's turned into one of the best receivers in college football.
On Monday, Cooper made up his mind. Instead of coming back for one more year and trying to win another national title, Cooper announced on social media that he was declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Before his senior year at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Cooper committed to former Indiana coach Tom Allen in July of 2021 as a four-star recruit.
Cooper redshirted as a freshman in 2022, and had 18 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, Allen's final year.
He blossomed into a star when Curt Cignetti arrived as part of a dominating receiving corp. He had 28 catches for 594 yards last year, with seven touchdowns, and led the Hoosiers with 937 this season. He had 69 catches and 13 touchdowns.
For his career, it adds up to 115 passes for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns. He had one season of eligibility remaining.
During Indiana’s 16-0 run to the national title, Cooper had many highlight-reel catches. None was more dramatic than his toe-tap touchdown at Penn State that led to a last-minute victory. He also had 10 catches for 207 yards against Indiana State, and eight catches for 115 yards against Michigan State.
Cooper combined with Elijah Sarratt, Charlie Becker and E.J. Williams to dominate games along with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Cooper mostly played in the slot, and was a tough cover for everyone.
Cooper, a projected second- or third-round pick, has the speed and hands that NFL teams crave. Sarratt and Williams are out of eligibility, and are headed to the draft as well.
Becker will be the leading receiver returning for Indiana, but Cignetti and the Hoosiers crushed it in the transfer portal, signing Nick Marsh out of Michigan State and Shazz Preston from Tulane.
Tyler Morris, who transferred from Michigan a year ago, missed the entire 2025 season with a preseason injury. He is supposed to be at full strength by spring practice.