49ers fans, keep an eye on Indiana's wide receivers during the season.
Week one of the college football season has wrapped up, and one storyline to follow for the San Francisco 49ers is the emergence of Indiana’s wide receiver duo. Fans must know the names Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, as both could be options in the 2027 NFL Draft.
It’s no secret that the 49ers' receiver room has injury questions. 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, and Mike Evans, DeZhaun Stribling, and Christian Kirk have all been banged up. They’re undeniably talented, but that’s worthless if they can’t stay healthy. If this trend continues, then they must address the unit next April.
Because of this, 49ers fans should watch Becker and Marsh closely throughout the 2026 season. Below is a breakdown of what to expect from them during the Hoosiers’ campaign.
Charlie Becker
Charlie Becker is widely viewed as a top-five receiver in the nation, as shown in week one. The six-foot-four, 209-pound junior led Indiana with four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns, including reeling in both of his contested catch opportunities.
Becker is a dangerous deep threat who pairs blazing vertical speed and athleticism with elite hands. He’s a quick accelerator and instantly threatens the defense deep. Then, he can either continue his route north or throttle down and be an option for the quarterback. This makes him challenging to defend in one-on-one situations. Even if a defender stays with him, few can contain him at the catch point, as he’s won 15/17 of his contested catches in his career.
Despite playing behind two NFL draft picks in 2025, Becker carved out a major role during the College Football Playoffs. He’s carried this momentum into the season and is now the top target for Josh Hoover. He’s already in first-round conversations, but don’t be surprised if his stock rises more throughout the year.
Nick Marsh
Nick Marsh didn’t have the most productive debut, tallying two receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown; however, his physicality and fit in Kurt Cignetti’s offense were clear. Despite the limited contributions, he made the highlight of the weekend on a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch with a defender draped over his shoulder.
Marsh’s week one performance was only a glimpse of his potential. The six-foot-three, 213-pound junior combines his aforementioned physicality with respectable deep speed and surprising route running for someone his size. He understands how to stem defenders and attack their leverage. He’s fluid throughout cuts and can create consistent separation. Beyond this, he’s a battering ram after the catch and can turn a short gain into an explosive play.
Expect Marsh to play a bigger role in the Hoosiers’ offense as the season progresses. He’s still gaining chemistry with fellow transfer Hoover and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan. This will take time, but don’t be surprised to hear Marsh’s name exponentially more as he gets situated.
