Charlie Becker (American football)

Charlie Becker
Becker in 2026
No. 80 – Indiana Hoosiers
PositionWide receiver
ClassSophomore
Personal information
BornNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolFather Ryan (Nashville)
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

Charlie Becker is an American college football wide receiver for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Early life

Becker was born in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] He attended Father Ryan High School in Nashville,[2] where he competed in football and track and field. As a junior in 2022, he won state championships in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. A three-star college football recruit per 247Sports, he committed to play for the Indiana Hoosiers.[3]

College career

As a freshman with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2024, Becker played in 12 games, primarily on special teams. He scored his first career touchdown on a three-yard rush against the Western Illinois Leathernecks.[4]

In 2025, he recorded his first receiving touchdown against the Kennesaw State Owls.[5] Becker stepped into a more prominent role against the Penn State Nittany Lions with starting receiver Elijah Sarratt unable to play with a hamstring injury;[6] he recorded seven receptions for 118 yards, including a crucial catch to set up Indiana's game-winning score.[7][8] In the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Becker caught a 51-yard pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza, just the third play of at least 50 yards allowed by Ohio State during the season, to advance a drive that resulted in a touchdown catch by Indiana receiver Elijah Sarratt. Becker also caught a 33-yard pass late in the game that prevented Ohio State from regaining possession of the ball until only 18 seconds remained in the game, sealing a 13–10 Indiana victory and the program's first Big Ten Conference championship since 1967. Becker led all Indiana players with six receptions for 126 yards in the game.[9][10] He caught a 21-yard pass for a touchdown in Indiana's 38–3 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2026 Rose Bowl.[11] He also caught a 36-yard touchdown in a 56–22 win against the Oregon Ducks in the 2026 Peach Bowl.[12] In the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship, Becker recorded four catches for 65 receiving yards,[13] including a 19-yard pass on 4th and 5 as well as another 19-yard catch on 3rd and 7 to extend scoring drives as Indiana defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 27–21, securing Indiana's first national championship.[14] He ended the 2025 season totaling 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns; his 20.0 yards per reception was the highest mark in the Big Ten.[15]

Personal life

Becker's brother, Cole, played college football as a linebacker for the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Their father, Dave, played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes[16] and also played professional baseball for the minor league organization of the Toronto Blue Jays.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Charlie Becker". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  2. ^ Weaver, Matt (June 3, 2023). ""The visit was amazing"". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  3. ^ Robinson, George (June 22, 2023). "Father Ryan receiver Charlie Becker keeps Big Ten ties, commits to Indiana football". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ "Charlie Becker". Indiana University Athletics. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  5. ^ Flick, Daniel (November 22, 2025). "Opportunity Called. Charlie Becker Answered in 'Fantastic' Indiana Football Breakout". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  6. ^ Lasley, Alec (November 18, 2025). "'Humble and hungry': Charlie Becker has taken advantage of opportunities, providing another big play wideout to Indiana offense". On3.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  7. ^ Weaver, Matt (November 8, 2025). "Charlie Becker has breakout game for the Hoosiers in 27-24 win over Penn State". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ^ "Fickell, Becker lead top showings of Week 11". NBC Sports (video). November 8, 2025. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  9. ^ Niziolek, Michael (December 7, 2025). "Indiana football takes down Ohio State in Big Ten championship game". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "'Hands Are a Gift From God': Indiana's Charlie Becker Joins Gus Johnson's 'Got It' Team". Fox Sports. December 11, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ^ Niziolek, Michael (January 2, 2026). "Indiana football players praise Charlie Becker after Rose Bowl TD grab". The Herald-Times. Archived from the original on January 3, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  12. ^ Odum, Charles (January 9, 2026). "No. 1 Indiana adds to CFP dominance with crushing 56-22 Peach Bowl semifinal win over No. 5 Oregon". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  13. ^ Clark, Dave (January 20, 2026). "Charlie Becker, star WR in Hoosiers' CFP win, has Cincinnati roots". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  14. ^ Sherman, Mitch (January 19, 2026). "Five pivotal plays that powered Indiana football to its first national championship". The Athletic. The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  15. ^ "Who is Charlie Becker? What to Know About Emerging Indiana Hoosiers Receiver". Fox Sports. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. ^ Organ, Mike (December 29, 2025). "Remember TSSAA football WR Charlie Becker? He's key part of Indiana football season". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 2, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ^ Robinson, George (June 16, 2023). "What Father Ryan 3-star WR Charlie Becker loves about Ole Miss and Vanderbilt football". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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