Story by
Khobie Martin on how dramatically perception of Indiana football has changed
- Story by
- Khobie Martin on how dramatically perception of Indiana football has changed
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana football quarterback Josh Hoover and running back Khobie Martin didn't get the biggest round of applause on Thursday afternoon as they greeted 100-plus campers at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center's Summer Day Camp.
With the heat index topping 100 degrees, the honor belonged to the Dilly Bars they passed out.
Advertisement
"I've got some work to do," Martin said with a laugh.
There was still plenty of excitement about the Hoosiers stopping by in connection with a volunteer event organized by United Way and Braden Business Systems, a Fishers-based IT company. After handing out ice cream, Hoover and Martin signed autographs and chatted with the campers.
"I love it," Martin told the Bloomington Herald-Times. "I feel like it's amazing, you know, being just from Indiana . I always love being able to come back and support the communities."
The campers' enthusiasm for hanging out with Hoosiers players represented the seismic shift in fandom going on for youngsters in the state who now view Indiana as a football school. That wasn't the case for Martin, a Fishers native who admitted as much during spring camp.
Advertisement
"I'm going to be real, I was a basketball player, and any time anyone said anything about the Hoosiers I'm thinking they are talking about basketball," Martin said in April.
Now, the images of IU players hoisting up the national title trophy have flipped that narrative on its head.
Martin signed with Indiana in 2024 as a three-star prospect out of Fishers High School, where he rushed 2,746 yards over three seasons. He stuck with his commitment through a coaching change that brought Curt Cignetti to Bloomington.
During IU's run to the national title, Martin got plenty of reps — he rushed for 505 yards with six touchdowns — helping the team close out a series of blowout victories. The campers at Mary Riggs watched highlights from the Hoosiers' championship run throughout the week in anticipation of their visit.
Advertisement
"We knew this special day was coming. The campers have been watching the film from the championship and the bowl game and all of those things," the center's president, Heather Pease, said, "and so, there's been just a lot of energy this week and excitement and reminders of what an incredible season IU had this year and certainly what we're wishing for them in the year ahead."
Hoover's arrival is part of that growing optimism for next season. The TCU transfer is the most productive returning quarterback in the country, having thrown for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns in his college career. While Hoover is eager to pick up where he left off in spring camp , he's committed to being part of the community as well.
More: Indiana's Curt Cignetti sounds off on escalating roster costs
Indiana football quarterback Josh Hoover and running back Khobie Martin sign autographs for campers at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
"It's always fun just getting to be around kids and be a light to their day and put a smile on their face," Hoover said.
Advertisement
Hoover and Martin impressed campers and counselors alike with their attentiveness. After passing out those Dilly Bars, they were the first ones to start picking up the wrappers off the floor.
"I just think that says a lot about their character, it says a lot about the expectations to be an IU football player, right?" Pease said. "And the kind of, not only on the field, but off the field, how you're going to behave and how you're going to show up. It's just an honor for us to be able to host these players here and let our kids see that wonderful example."
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoover, Martin embrace community opportunities created by Indiana football's success
