Eight Hoosiers Named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten Team Ahead of 2025 Season
Indiana football continues to gain national attention as eight Hoosiers were selected to Phil Steele’s 2025 Preseason All-Big Ten Team, maintaining the program’s annual tradition of individual recognition across the conference.
In Steele’s preseason rankings of all 136 FBS t6916-2eams, Indiana comes in at No. 20 nationally—a slightly lower-than-expected placement, but still within striking distance of the College Football Playoff conversation. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) ranks the Hoosiers 44th in the nation. The team returns 61% of its production from last season, signaling a balance of experience and opportunity heading into the fall.
One of the biggest changes for Indiana in 2025 will come at quarterback. The team must replace Kurtis Rourke, who set a school record with 29 passing touchdowns in 2024 and finished ninth in Heisman voting. Taking over is California transfer Fernando Mendoza, who brings solid credentials: 3,004 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 68.7% completion rate last season for the Golden Bears.
Four Indiana players earned First Team All-Big Ten honors from Steele: senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, senior defensive end Mikial Kamara, senior linebacker Aiden Fisher, and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. On the Second Team is senior offensive tackle Carter Smith.
The remaining three Hoosiers recognized landed on the Third Team—all of whom are transfers: junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza, senior defensive tackle Hosea Wheeler, and senior offensive lineman Pat Coogan.
Indiana’s eight preseason All-Big Ten selections tie them for sixth-most in the conference, alongside Iowa and Illinois. Penn State led all teams with 15 honorees, followed by Oregon (13), Ohio State (11), and Michigan and USC (9 each).
The Hoosiers will open their 2025 campaign at home against Old Dominion on August 30, setting the stage for what could be a defining season in Bloomington.
Leave a Reply