“Grass doesn’t grow without water,” Curt Cignetti told Don Fischer at the Ferguson Crestmont Boys & Girls Club. “My business is all about recruiting and development, it’s very highly structured and organized.” The latest Indiana addition wasn’t just about adding a wideout. This was about chemistry and timing, perhaps one of the most underrated offseason moves in the Big Ten. 

It started quietly with a spring setback — Indiana lost its top WR and punt returner – Tyler Morris – to a season-ending injury. And just when people thought IU would limp into the season thin at receiver, Cignetti went fishing. And he found a golden treasure.

Curt Cignetti just pulled a slick winning move as Hayes Fawcett reported in a breaking Instagram post on May 3. “Cal transfer WR Jonathan Brady has Committed to Indiana.” Jonathan Brady isn’t just some portal flyer. Per ESPN, he totaled 1,320 receiving yards over three seasons across New Mexico State and Cal. Total yards? 1,460 yards for 97 receptions and 11 scores. The 5’10, 180-pound receiver joins the Hoosiers team with one year of eligibility remaining. 

But the best part of this commitment is the WR-QB chemistry. Jonathan Brady will reunite with his former Cal teammate, QB Fernando Mendoza, in Bloomington. If you don’t already know, the Hoosiers’ new QB flashed brilliance last season at Cal, particularly in the game against Stanford. And a huge part of that was due to the strong chemistry with his WR. He threw for 299 yards and three TDs against the Cardinals, including the game-winning 22-yard swing to Brady. That connection was clutch. It was Big Game energy, and now, it’s Indiana’s. 

Jonathan Brady isn’t just filling a roster spot — he’s stepping into a key role. Just last season, he had 36 receptions for 386 yards and three scores in 13 games. And Curt Cignetti’s system is all about development, and the plan has always been the same. “It was a good year,” he said of last season when they made their first-ever playoff appearance. But you know what? That wasn’t a great year, just so we all understand. You got to finish what you started, right? We learn those lessons and come back stronger.” Getting Brady is a huge step forward for a powerful offense. But you know what potentially made this move possible? Not losing a key coaching staff member. 

Curt Cignetti prevents a poaching situation

The juicy part leading to this commitment is how Indiana almost took a major hit off the field. USC tried to snatch away Derek Owings as their new head strength and conditioning coach. Lincoln Riley’s crew wanted to swipe their director of athletics performance, who’s been Curt Cignetti’s guy since James Madison days. That would’ve been a massive blow. You don’t build a new culture, a tougher team, and trust in your system without the guy running your weight room. 

So what did Curt Cignetti do? He locked Owings down with a fresh three-year deal just in time. That kind of retention matters when you’re rebuilding toughness and trust. Indiana already lost Tino Sunseri to UCLA, and he nearly lost Mike Shanahan and Bryant Haines too. Shanahan signed a new contract with the team in early December, and Haines’ latest contract came on January 27. But with four years of chemistry, Owings mattered big time to the HC. 

Now, with the right pieces in place both on the players and coaches fronts, Curt Cignetti is about to take another shot to finish what Indiana started.