The opening week of the 2026 NFL preseason served as a stage for a handful of former Indiana University standouts to showcase their abilities on the national stage. Dispersed across teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and others, these alumni brought a mix of experience and raw talent to the field.
Key Performances
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, trying to revive his professional prospects, completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards with an interception while lining up for the Raiders. Wide receiver E.J. Williams contributed a single 6‑yard reception, and running back Roman Hemby added 27 rushing yards on six carries plus a 3‑yard catch. Tight ends Ian Thomas and Zach Horton each logged multiple snaps, combining for 20 yards of receiving production for the Raiders and Lions respectively.
Veteran pass‑catchers Ke’Shawn Williams and Riley Nowakowski found room in the Bengals’ and Steelers’ offenses, with Williams recording four catches for 42 yards and a punt return for 12 yards, while Nowakowski added a 10‑yard grab for Pittsburgh. Defensive backs Devan Boykin and Marcelino McCrary‑Ball each tallied multiple tackles for the Steelers, and Nick Westbrook‑Ikhine contributed on both offense and special teams for the Indianapolis Colts.
Other notable contributions came from Aiden Fisher, who posted six tackles (four solo) for the Houston Texans, and Omar Cooper Jr., who caught a 9‑yard pass for the New York Jets. Micah McFadden, a linebacker with the Giants, pressured the quarterback once and recovered a fumble, while Kahlil Benson opened the season as a starter at right tackle for the Chiefs, playing 35 snaps.
Roster Turbulence
The preseason also brought setbacks. Several former Hoosiers, including quarterback Kurtis Rourke, were sidelined by injury, and a number of players were released or waived as teams trimmed their rosters. Injuries to Marcelino McCrary‑Ball and Kaelon Black further underscored the volatility of early‑season competition.
Despite the mixed outcomes, the presence of Indiana alumni across a wide array of teams signals a continued pipeline of talent from Bloomington to the professional ranks. Their performances will be closely watched as clubs decide which players earn a spot on the regular‑season roster.