“I just think it’s a higher caliber of guy,” was IU football coach Curt Cignetti’s assessment when asked in late May what a successful 2024 season has meant in terms of who the Hoosiers are landing on the recruiting trail in 2025.
“Last year’s class was put together on promises, hopes, vision,” he said. “This year’s class is being put together on something tangible — what we put out there on the field, and the publicity and the exposure that we received.”
The latest rankings update at the now merged Rivals/On3 national outlet drives home what Cignetti is saying.
Indiana has verbal commitments from three players in the 2026 class — rising high school seniors — who are all 4-star recruits and ranked inside the national top-200.
During the rankings era — roughly the last 25 years — Indiana hasn’t had a trio of players this highly thought of:
- Ronelle Johnson, 4-star, No. 124 overall, No. 15 edge rusher
- Henry Ohlinger, 4-star, No. 138 overall, No. 5 athlete (expected to play linebacker)
- Gabe Hill, 4-star, No. 161 overall, No. 15 defensive lineman
In fact, according to data at 247Sports, IU has only landed a total of four players ranked inside the national top-200 during the rankings era.
If Indiana ends up with a dominant defense in a few years, this 2026 class will likely be a major reason why.
IU’s haul includes three more defenders who have been deemed a 4-star by at least on national outlet:
- Cameron McHaney, 4-star, No. 18 defensive lineman at ESPN
- Kevontay Hugan, 4-star, No. 45 linebacker at ESPN
- Kasmir Hicks, 4-star, No. 30 cornerback at Rivals
As a whole, Indiana’s 22-player class of 2026 currently ranks No. 30 in the nation as of Monday afternoon according to Rivals/On3, and No. 27 at 247Sports.
For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
