Purdue Scores Major Recruiting Win as DT Josiah Hope Flips from Louisville
In a recruiting twist that could reshape Purdue’s defensive future, Josiah Hope, the top-ranked high school football player in Kentucky, has signed with the Boilermakers after flipping his commitment from Louisville on signing day.
This is no small pickup. Hope, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive tackle, had been committed to Louisville since July, where he was set to play for former Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm. But when the dust settled on signing day, Hope was wearing black and gold - not red and black - giving Purdue a massive boost to its 2026 class.
Ranked No. 430 nationally by On3, Hope becomes the highest-rated player in Purdue’s current recruiting cycle. And while recruiting rankings don’t always tell the full story, this one speaks volumes. Not only is Hope a physically dominant interior lineman, but he also fills a critical need for a Purdue defense that struggled mightily in 2025, giving up 31.8 points per game.
Hope’s recruitment has come full circle. He originally gave Purdue a verbal commitment before flipping to Louisville over the summer. But the Boilermakers never stopped pursuing him, and their persistence paid off in a big way.
Hope isn’t the only defensive difference-maker Purdue managed to reel in. Safety Jett Goldsberry, who had been committed to Ole Miss, also flipped to the Boilermakers. That’s two high-level defensive talents who were expected to land elsewhere but ultimately chose West Lafayette.
When you look at Hope’s offer sheet, the significance of this flip becomes even clearer. He held eight Power Four offers, with Louisville being the only school outside the Big Ten or SEC in that group. So not only did Purdue beat out a former coach for a prized recruit, they also won a battle that included some of the most competitive programs in college football’s top two conferences.
For a Purdue defense that’s been in need of reinforcements - particularly in the trenches - Hope’s arrival could be a game-changer. He brings size, strength, and a motor that fits the Big Ten mold. The Boilermakers are clearly focused on upgrading their front seven, and Hope gives them a foundational piece to build around.
It’s not often you see a program flip a top in-state recruit from a coach with deep ties to your own program, but that’s exactly what Purdue pulled off here. And if Hope lives up to his billing, this could be one of the most impactful signings of the Boilermakers’ 2026 class - and maybe even a turning point for a defense looking to find its identity.