Indiana University’s football program is gearing up for the 2026 season with a notable shift at the tight end position. After the 2025 campaign concluded, the Hoosiers saw the departure of every tight end who contributed in the previous year, opening a vacuum that the coaching staff is now working to fill.
A New Era at Tight End
The most prolific of those exits was Riley Nowakowski, who led the team with 32 receptions for 387 yards and four touchdowns. His performance earned him a fifth‑round selection in the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the first recent tight end from IU to secure a professional contract.
Replacing that production falls to a mix of newcomers and internal options. Transfer Brock Schott, a consensus four‑star recruit who excelled at Miami with 1,717 yards and 19 touchdowns in high school, is being viewed as the most likely starter. Alongside him, freshmen Parker Elmore and Trevor Gibbs, both three‑star prospects, bring versatility, while Andrew Barker remains the only player with prior game experience at the position.
The coaching staff has indicated that the depth chart will be fluid, with Schott expected to see the majority of snaps but subject to adjustment as fall camp progresses. Blake Thiry, who redshirted the 2025 season, has yet to appear in a game for Indiana, adding another layer of uncertainty to the mix.
Ultimately, the evolution of the tight end room will depend on how quickly the new talent can gel with the offense and adapt to the physical demands of Big Ten play. As the team moves toward the first scrimmage of the season, the focus will be on developing chemistry and ensuring that the position no longer becomes a liability but a reliable weapon in the Hoosiers’ arsenal.