Breaking: Michigan State Transfer WR Nick Marsh Commits to Indiana, Shakes Up Big Ten

Indiana football scored a major transfer-portal victory Sunday when former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh announced his commitment to the Hoosiers, giving head coach Curt Cignetti an explosive 6-foot-3, 203-pound target with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Marsh ranked as the No. 24 overall player and No. 7 receiver available in the 2026 portal cycle after posting back-to-back standout seasons in East Lansing. He caught 59 passes for 662 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore in 2025, following a freshman campaign of 41 receptions, 649 yards and three scores—numbers that shattered Michigan State’s freshman receiving records. Why the fit matters: • Immediate WR1 potential – With veterans Elijah Sarratt, E.J. Williams and Jonathan Brady graduating, Indiana needed a proven playmaker on the perimeter. Marsh’s size, catch radius and red-zone production fill that void. • Big Ten familiarity – Marsh torched Indiana for 64 yards and a touchdown in October’s matchup, showcasing his ability against league secondaries. • Complement to QB Fernando Mendoza – The Heisman finalist thrives on vertical shots; Marsh averaged 11.2 yards per catch last year, aligning perfectly with Indiana’s aggressive downfield scheme. Recruiting ripple: Cignetti’s staff now owns two portal pledges—Marsh and Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman—before the CFP semifinal, underscoring the program’s momentum on and off the field. Landing a nationally coveted receiver over suitors such as Notre Dame signals that Bloomington is becoming a destination for elite talent. What comes next: • Spring-ball integration – Marsh will enroll for the spring semester, giving offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan time to install packages that maximize back-shoulder fades and RPO slants. • Depth chart shuffle – Expect junior Omar Cooper to slide into the slot while Marsh and redshirt sophomore Andrel Anthony patrol the outside, creating mismatches against nickel defenses. • Recruiting boost – Marsh’s commitment provides instant proof of concept for Cignetti’s “pro-tempo” offense, a selling point for 2027 four-star prep receivers set to visit later this month. Bottom line: Nick Marsh’s arrival instantly elevates Indiana’s receiving corps and strengthens the Hoosiers’ push for another Big Ten title run. If his East Lansing production translates, Bloomington could witness one of the conference’s most dangerous passing attacks in 2026.