Curt Cignetti landed a statement win on the recruiting trail this summer, and it came with a name that has already changed the ceiling in Bloomington: Monshun Sales.
The five-star wide receiver from Indianapolis announced his commitment to Indiana live on The Pat McAfee Show, choosing to stay home and giving the Hoosiers the highest-rated football recruit in program history. Sales, a Lawrence North High School product, is the latest proof that Indiana is no longer just trying to build through development and the transfer portal. This was a head-to-head victory over some of the biggest names in the sport.
Sales picked Indiana over Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, and LSU. At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, he arrived as more than a splashy commitment - he became the highest-ranked prospect ever to commit to IU, moving past former linebacker Dasan McCullough.
For Indiana, the significance goes beyond the ranking. Keeping the nation’s premier pass catcher in state sends a clear message about the direction of Cignetti’s program and the kind of battles the Hoosiers can now win on the recruiting trail. Sales said his decision came down to the genuine connection he felt with Cignetti, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, and the staff’s straight-shooting style.
On the field, Sales gives Shanahan something Indiana can build around: a true alpha receiver with the tools to force defenses to adjust.
His size alone makes him a problem. At 6-foot-5, he can outmuscle defensive backs, extend above the crowd, and turn off-target throws into big plays. That kind of catch radius makes him a dangerous weapon in 50-50 situations and a natural red zone threat.
He also brings speed that matches the frame. Sales has track credentials that back up the vertical upside, including a 10.81 in the 100 meters, and he was a state championship contender in both the 100 and 200.
That burst shows up on the football field too. During his junior season at Lawrence North, he averaged more than 21 yards per catch.
There’s physicality in his game as well. Sales logged 56 tackles as a high school safety, and that toughness carries over to offense, where he’s willing to block and run through contact as a ball carrier.
That blend of size, speed, and edge makes Sales more than a marquee recruit. He fits the identity Cignetti wants in Bloomington, and with him on board, Indiana has both a game-changing receiver and a cornerstone for future classes.
In Other News...
IU Students Now Face A Weekend Dining Tradeoff
Indiana University has adjusted its weekend dining schedule, trimming hours at Forest, McNutt and Wright by closing those halls from 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays while leaving weekday service unchanged. The change came after student feedback and staff needs were factored in, with the university saying the pause gives dining teams time to clean, reset and prepare for the next meal period.
Students may notice the tradeoff most during the middle of the weekend day, when the gap can make meal planning a little less convenient. At the same time, IU is trying to soften the impact by adding a weekend brunch and expanding the Sunday dinner menu, a tweak that staff say should help improve service quality and ease workload even as some students adjust to the new routine. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas Frontcourt Fix May Come Down To One Newcomer
Indiana spent the offseason searching for help up front, and Darian DeVries answered by bringing in a pair of portal additions who should change the look of the frontcourt right away. Aiden Sherrell arrived from Alabama, while Samet Yigitoglu came over from SMU after putting together a productive season there, giving the Hoosiers a much-needed mix of size and interior presence as they try to fix problems that showed up on the glass and around the rim.
Yigitoglu brings a rsum that suggests he can help immediately, with his work at SMU showing he can score, rebound and protect the basket at a steady level. He has already talked about being ready for the Big Ten challenge, and for Indiana that readiness matters because the upcoming competition will ask the Hoosiers to hold up against bigger, more physical lineups than they saw a year ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas D-Line Momentum Starts With One Reunion Fans Never Saw Coming
The early surge from Indianas defensive line has been about more than just effort in drills. It has also been about familiarity, as Tobi Osunsanmi arrived after transferring from Kansas State and found himself back alongside Chiddi Obiazor, a former teammate he did not expect to see in Bloomington. Osunsanmi has pointed to the groups chemistry and the way practice has been pushing everyone as key reasons the front has looked so lively so far.
Obiazor is not in the starting lineup, but his presence has still mattered, giving Osunsanmi a steady veteran voice as he settles into his new role. The Hoosiers are carrying that momentum into an upcoming game against Rutgers, where the emphasis will again be on playing physical and making quick decisions up front. For a line trying to keep building on its early edge, the reunion has become a useful part of the story even if it was never the headline. [Read more 🡒]