5 Hoosiers headline The Athletic’s college football preseason All-America team

Gotten used to seeing Hoosiers on All-America lists? Well, do I have some good news for you.

Indiana football led the way in The Athletic’s 2026 preseason All-America team with five selections, tied with Big Ten rival Oregon to lead all programs. The Hoosiers boast two first-teamers and three second-teamers, all of whom are returners from 2025’s national championship roster.

Offensive lineman Carter Smith, who starts at left tackle and linebacker Rolijah Hardy are Indiana’s two first-teamers. Smith has started 41 consecutive games at left tackle entering the 2026 season and Hardy led the Hoosiers in sacks last season with 8.

Wide receiver Charlie Becker, defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker and safety Amare Ferrell round out Indiana’s five selections as second-teamers. Becker’s emergence last season proved critical in Indiana’s run to the title, Tucker ran with a larger role and became a star while Ferrell helped anchor a secondary that gave the vaunted Hoosier defensive line time to get to opposing quarterbacks.

The only All-America lists that really matter come out at the end of the season, but preseason recognition is hardly a bad thing for the Hoosiers.

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