Indiana is officially in the mix for one of the state’s top young talents.
The Hoosiers have extended a scholarship offer to Theo Schott, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound tight end from Zionsville High School. A 2028 prospect, Schott is already turning heads with his combination of size, athleticism, and versatility-and Indiana’s staff clearly sees the potential.
For Schott, the IU offer hits close to home-literally and figuratively.
“Growing up in Indiana, it was just known that they never had a good football team,” Schott said. “But the turnaround they had was the greatest in sports history.”
He’s talking, of course, about the stunning rise under Curt Cignetti. In just two seasons, Indiana flipped the script, going from perennial underdog to a perfect 16-0 season and national attention. That kind of rapid transformation doesn’t just happen-it’s a testament to a program that’s bought in from top to bottom.
“They proved the world wrong,” Schott said. “It shows how strong their culture and coaching is. The program stands out because of how much the coaches want to stay together and not leave.”
That kind of stability and cohesion matters-especially to a recruit like Schott, who’s looking for more than just a place to play. He’s looking for a program that builds something bigger, and Indiana’s new trajectory has his attention.
On the field, Schott brings a well-rounded skill set that fits today’s modern tight end mold. Indiana’s coaches have taken notice of his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
“They like my versatility to make plays both in the receiving game and the blocking game,” Schott said. “I think that is what makes my game unique.”
He’s not just talking the talk, either. As a sophomore this past fall, Schott led Zionsville in receptions with 26, while ranking second in both receiving yards (305) and touchdown catches (3). For a player still early in his high school career, those numbers speak to a growing presence in the offense-and a ceiling that’s still rising.
“My sophomore season went well,” he said. “I had a great time with my team, and we competed in every game. I think I improved on my footwork and my speed the most while also keeping my body under control.”
That kind of self-awareness and focus on development is exactly what college programs love to see in a young recruit. Schott isn’t just relying on his physical tools-he’s working to refine them, which makes him an even more intriguing long-term prospect.
With Indiana now officially in pursuit, Schott’s recruitment is one to keep an eye on. The Hoosiers are building something under Cignetti-and if they can keep locking in top in-state talent like Schott, the foundation only gets stronger.