Indiana football isn’t just basking in the afterglow of a National Championship season under Curt Cignetti - it’s building on it. The Hoosiers are turning momentum into muscle on the recruiting trail, and the 2026 class is shaping up to be one of the strongest in program history. According to the latest 247Sports rankings, Indiana’s incoming freshman class sits at No. 28 nationally and No. 9 in the Big Ten - a clear sign that the program’s rise isn’t a one-year wonder.
Let’s break it down: the Hoosiers landed three four-star signees in the final 247Sports rankings and a total of seven four-stars when you include the Composite ratings. That’s a significant haul for a team that’s long been fighting for relevance in the Big Ten’s recruiting wars.
Headlining the class is Florida EDGE rusher Kevontay Hugan, who checks in as the No. 180 overall recruit in the nation. Hugan brings a 93 rating and a tenacious edge presence that could make him an early contributor.
He’s joined by linebacker Ja'Dyn Williams out of Ohio, ranked as the No. 18 LB in the country, and cornerback Kasmir Hicks, who earned a bump in his final rating to 90, placing him as the No. 40 corner nationally and one of the top recruits in Indiana.
But the depth of this class is what really stands out. Defensive linemen Cameron McHaney and Gabriel Hill, tight end Parker Elmore, and versatile linebacker/athlete Henry Ohlinger all earned Composite four-star status, giving Indiana a solid core of talent in the trenches and at key skill positions.
There’s also upward movement in the rankings that reflects how this class continues to develop. Safety D’Montae Tims saw his rating jump two points to an 88, while wide receiver Lavar Keys earned a one-point boost to 87 - small increases that speak to the kind of upside Indiana is bringing in.
Of the 22 signees, 19 are already on campus, enrolled and gearing up for winter workouts and spring practices. That early arrival is no small detail - it gives these freshmen a head start in adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
The remaining three - Keys, tight end P.J. MacFarlane, and offensive tackle Kenton Mondeau - are set to join the team this summer, adding even more depth as fall approaches.
Here’s a closer look at the full 2026 class, according to 247Sports:
Four-Star Signees (247Sports Ratings)
- Kevontay Hugan (EDGE, FL) - 93 rating (+1), No. 180 nationally, No.
20 EDGE
- Ja'Dyn Williams (LB, OH) - 91 rating, No.
18 LB
- Kasmir Hicks (CB, IN) - 90 rating (+1), No.
40 CB
Composite Four-Star Signees
- Cameron McHaney (DL, FL) - 89 rating, No.
45 DL
- Parker Elmore (TE, IN) - 89 rating, No.
27 TE
- Gabriel Hill (DL, IL) - 88 rating, No.
66 DL
- Henry Ohlinger (ATH, OH) - 88 rating, No.
43 ATH
Notable Three-Star Signees
- Trevor Gibbs (LB, IN) - 89 rating, No.
41 LB
- D'Montae Tims (DB, FL) - 88 rating (+2), No.
48 S
- Ronelle Johnson (EDGE, MO) - 88 rating, No.
72 EDGE
- Jacob Savage (LB, KY) - 87 rating, No.
64 LB
- Jamar Owens (S, GA) - 87 rating, No.
90 S
- Samuel Simpson (IOL, WI) - 87 rating, No.
69 IOL
- **P.J.
MacFarlane (TE, OH)** - 87 rating, No. 59 TE
- Lavar Keys (WR, MD) - 87 rating (+1), No. 159 WR
- Benjamin Novak (IOL, IN) - 87 rating, No. 76 IOL
- Blake Smythe (DL, IN) - 87 rating, No. 123 DL
- Kenton Mondeau (OT, WI) - 86 rating, No. 106 OT
- Jayreon Campbell (RB, GA) - 86 rating, No. 73 RB
- Kortez Rupert (WR, IL) - 86 rating, No. 190 WR
- Rodney White (DL, MD) - 85 rating, No. 190 DL
What stands out here isn’t just the stars or the rankings - it’s the balance. Indiana is bringing in players across every level of the defense, shoring up the offensive line, adding weapons at tight end and wide receiver, and stockpiling talent in the linebacker room. It’s a class built not just for headlines, but for depth, development, and long-term success.
Curt Cignetti and his staff are showing that last season’s title run wasn’t a fluke - it was a foundation. And if this 2026 class is any indication, Indiana plans to be a serious player in the Big Ten for years to come.