For the first five years of his NFL career, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was known as something of a "Colt killer."
While with the Tennessee Titans from 2020-2024, Westbrook-Ikhine faced the Colts 11 times and totaled 12 catches for 139 yards with four touchdowns.
Now, he's switched sides – and returned to his Hoosier roots.
Despite being a native of Florida, Westbrook-Ikhine already considers himself a Hoosier thanks to his five years playing football at Indiana (2015-2019) as well as his in-laws, who live near Indianapolis.
"It's kind of a hometown team, got a bunch of family (here)," Westbrook-Ikhine said after signing with the Colts. "I'd drive by the facility every time I'd come visit (his wife's) family in the offseason, even when I was in Tennessee. So, a lot to play for – just added another son to the mix. So yeah, I'm excited to be here."
In five years with the Hoosiers, Westbrook-Ikhine totaled 144 receptions for 2,226 yards and 16 touchdowns across 51 games played. He also became the seventh Hoosier to reach 125 receptions and 2,000 yards in his career, and had six 100-yard receiving games as a Hoosier. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and stayed there through the 2024 season. In 2025, Westbrook-Ikhine played for the Miami Dolphins.
In 93 career games (42 starts), the 6-foot-2, 211-pound wide receiver has tallied 137 receptions for 1,862 yards – for an average of 13.6 yards per reception – and 19 touchdowns.
In 2025, Westbrook-Ikhine appeared in 15 games for the Dolphins and recorded 11 receptions for 89 yards which was a marked decrease from his numbers in prior years; in 2024 he posted a career-high 497 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
"I mean, it was just unfortunate," Westbrook-Ikhine said about his time with the Dolphins. "I can't put my finger on it. If it just wasn't the right fit, or lack of chemistry, whatever it might be. But I'm excited for this new opportunity. I feel like that's also kind of getting me a little bit more motivated, just the excitement of being here."
View photos highlighting the career of wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who joins the Indianapolis Colts after signing in free agency.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) warms up during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine speaks with the news media during practice at NFL football minicamp, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs as Chicago Bears cornerback Tre Flowers, center, right, defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) celebrates a touchdown by teammate tight end Darren Waller during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) lines up during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs onto the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs onto the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine celebrates after a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine tries to catch a pass during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) is introduced to play against the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Jan. 5, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs with the ball past Chicago Bears safety Major Burns (35) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) is tackled after catching a pass by New York Jets safety Isaiah Oliver (26) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Westbrook-Ikhine said he'd also always been a fan of the Colts because of players like Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne; Wayne will now, of course, be Westbrook-Ikhine's position coach.
"Looking forward to that meeting with him and just finding a way I can fill in and carve a role out," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "I feel like every time, every year I've been in the league, I'm never going into it feeling like I'm owed anything, especially after the year I just had. So I have some work to do. I gotta earn my spot, earn my keep, and just find a way to help this team win."
And even more than that, the wide receiver – like so many other free agents the Colts have signed this offseason – was encouraged by the team's impressive 8-2 start in 2025 and the fact that both quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce are returning for 2026 and beyond.
"I've kind of always been a fan of the team, but then just the season they had last year, I can see what they're building," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "I've always seen it as a team that has a great culture and something I want to be a part of. So, it just worked out. It was definitely – going into free agency this year I told my agent, 'Look, if Indy is an option, I'd love to be there.'"
"...Having an established quarterback (Daniel Jones) and a guy that – the level he was playing at, you could see he's just a professional all around. And was just talking with Coach (Shane) Steichen, and just the way he works, his work ethic, his mentality – that definitely helps being a part of an established quarterback room where you have a guy. If you have a quarterback, you've got a chance to win games."
