Former Indiana Players Shine in NFL Week 6

Several former Hoosiers made significant contributions during the recent slate of professional football games.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of an American football player in motion, captured with bold brush strokes and high-contrast stadium lighting. — Former Indiana University standouts, including Omar Cooper Jr., saw significant action during NFL Week 6, marking a notable milestone for the football program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Former Indiana University standouts saw notable action across the league during Week 6. Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. delivered a breakout performance, securing his first career touchdown.

Why it matters

The professional successes of former college stars serve as a key metric for the strength and development of the Indiana University football program. Tracking these individual efforts provides insight into how collegiate training prepares athletes for the NFL level.

Omar Cooper Jr. recorded 103 receiving yards on six receptions, while Kahlil Benson logged 61 offensive snaps. Additionally, Kaelon Black contributed 34 rushing yards during his 14 offensive snaps.

The players

Omar Cooper Jr.

He is a wide receiver who played college football at Indiana University before transitioning to the professional level.

Kahlil Benson

He is an offensive lineman who currently serves as a starter at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kaelon Black

He is a running back who developed his skills at Indiana University prior to joining the professional ranks.

Micah McFadden

He is an NFL linebacker who previously starred for the Indiana Hoosiers defense.

Cam Jones

He is a linebacker who made his first appearance of the 2026 season during Week 6.

The details

Omar Cooper Jr. anchored his team's offense with a career-high effort, while other former Indiana players including Kahlil Benson, Kaelon Black, Ian Thomas, Riley Nowakowski, Micah McFadden, and Cam Jones saw action across various offensive and special teams units. Meanwhile, Luke Haggard, Elijah Sarratt, and Kurtis Rourke were listed as healthy scratches for their respective teams.

Sunday, October 18, 2026, marked the main slate of NFL Week 6 games.
Monday, October 19, 2026, featured the conclusion of the NFL Week 6 schedule.

Season Trajectory

This wave of participation highlights the increasing depth of talent flowing from the Indiana football program into the professional ranks. These contributions directly influence the roster stability and competitive outlook for the players' respective NFL franchises as the season progresses.

Omar Cooper Jr.s breakout week suggests he may command a larger share of targets in upcoming games, altering his outlook for fantasy rosters. Kahlil Bensons status as a starting left tackle remains a critical factor for his teams offensive line stability.

The takeaway

The performance of these former players demonstrates how individual success in the NFL can elevate the national profile of a university football program. Readers should monitor snap counts for emerging players as they fight to secure permanent roles on active rosters.