The Indiana Hoosiers bring in 13 players on defense in the 2026 high school recruiting class. The group is headlined by a pair of four-star prospects in Keyvonte Hugan and Ja’dyn Williams. Below is a breakdown of the defensive players in the 2026 class (in alphabetical order).
Kasmir Hicks, Cornerback, Decatur Central, Indianapolis, Indiana
5’11” 170 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (89.10) Highlights
Hicks is a top five player in the state according to 247Sports’ composite rankings and is an important get as the Hoosiers start to pull some of the top talent in the state. Hicks is a play maker who had three interceptions and nine passes broken up as a senior. He also has the ability to return punts and kicks. The Hoosiers have a good number of young defensive backs in the pipeline, so Hicks should be able to grow and develop without being forced into early action until he’s ready.
Gabriel Hill, DL, Naperville North, Naperville, Illinois
6’2” 275 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (92.03) Highlights
Hill is one of a couple standout defensive linemen in this class. He played both inside and outside on the line, but projects as an interior defensive lineman at the next level. He had a big senior season with 55 tackles, five sacks and three blocks on special teams. Hill also throws the shot put and discus during track and field season. He has the strength to defeat blocks and get into an opponent’s backfield. If he is to be an interior lineman, Hill will have to bulk up.
Kevontey Hugan, DL, Booker, Sarasota, Florida
6’2” 235 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (90.27) Highlights
Hugan is IU’s highest rated recruit according to 247Sports and another big piece along the defensive line in this class. A top-180 player nationally, Hugan has a path to play early at IU with the departure of a few playmakers on the edge after the 2025 season. He was a monster in the backfield creating all sorts of havoc. In 2025 Hugan amassed 32 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Andrew Ivins of 247Sports compares him to Penn State’s Zane Durant and gave the following scouting report:
“Multifaceted front-line defender with no shortage of position ambiguity as he could morph into a variety of different things depending on how the body fills out. Lacks length, but owns an elite track and field profile and has posted explosive testing metrics in back-to-back years. Spent junior season attacking primarily from a two and three-point stance in an even front. Flashes big-time initial quickness and rare suddenness for a line of scrimmage player as he shoots into the backfield and flushes out pockets. Frequently makes stops in pursuit with his gap-closing burst and can efficiently change directions. Ceiling might be highest as a three technique that can hound quarterbacks on passing downs, but floor might be higher as an edge rusher that can cross offensive tackles and play in space. Regardless, will eventually need to add some mass to hold up at the next level. By far one of the more unique players in the Sunshine State for the cycle given the puzzle pieces. However, still projects as a potential impact player on Saturdays with his juice and production.”
Ronelle Johnson, Edge, Blue Springs, Blue Springs, Missouri
6’4” 260lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (90.24) Highlights
Johnson is a top five player from Missouri and another four-star lineman on the defensive side of the ball. He already has the size and frame to play in the Big Ten. Johnson will be one of the Hoosiers many early enrollees and has a path to early playing time. Indiana’s staff has had no problem playing freshman on the defensive line if they can contribute and Johnson looks, on paper, as if he can contribute early.
Cameron McHaney, DL, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
6’1” 315lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (90.03) Highlights
An Indianapolis transplant went down to IMG to improve himself and his game. The easy comp for him is Tyrique Tucker who is built like a fire hydrant and not really something you want to run into. McHaney’s size makes him a perfect fit into the defensive tackle position for the Hoosiers.
247Sports’ Andrew Ivans wrote the following scouting report on McHaney:
“Quick-twitched ball of fire that can penetrate gaps and creative negative plays. Tips the scales right around 6-foot-1, 315 pounds and wears the mass well with a wide lower half. Naturally low center of gravity allows him to get up and underneath opponents while raw power helps him move blockers off the ball. Might have some limitations with his range as he’s at his best charging forward, but understands how to cave run lanes once engaged. Owns one of the fastest verified 40-yard dash times for any interior defensive lineman in the class of 2026, which authenticates his explosive take-offs. Projects best as a 3-technique in an even front that can help tax protection. Might not be an every-down defender initially, but has multi-year starter upside and has drawn glowing reviews from the staff at IMG Academy.”
Henry Ohlinger, LB, Grandview Heights, Columbus, Ohio
6’1” 210lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (90.68) Highlights
Ohlinger is listed as an “athlete” as he played both linebacker and running back in high school, but he’ll be doing the hitting in Bloomington. Ohlinger is one of three linebackers in the 2026 class who should play a big part in the future of the position, but that may start in 2027, not 2026.
Jamar Owens, Safety, Douglas County, Douglasville, Georgia
6’0” 175lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (87.22) Highlights
The Hoosiers needed to get younger at safety to rebuild the room after they could lose all three starters after this season. Owens had a productive senior season with 70 tackles. He will need some development, but could be in the rotation in the near future.
Jacob Savage, LB, Ryle, Union, Kentucky
6’1” 219 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (87.33) Highlights
Is there a better name for a stud linebacker than Savage? Probably not. Savage had a huge high school career at Riley racking up 112 tackles. He was pretty darn good on offense too, rushing for 1,222 yards and finding the end zone 29 times. The Hoosiers have their backers for 2026, but this group coming in can be the future of the position.
Blake Smythe, DL, Franklin Community HS, Franklin, Indiana
6’3” 275 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (87.11) Highlights
Another in-state recruit, this time ranked 20th, is coming to the Hoosiers. Smythe had a productive senior season and will be enrolling early at IU. Smythe will likely need some time to develop into a rotational player.
D’Monte Tims, Safety, Armwood, Seffner, Florida
6’0.5” 195 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (86.67) Highlights
Indiana flipped Tims from Colorado late in the cycle. Tims has good hands and has the ability to read the play well. He has a nose for the ball as well. Tims also ran track at Armwood, so the speed is there. At Armwood he did spend time playing outside linebacker and close to the line of scrimmage which would look great in IU’s rover position.
Rodney White, DL, Concordia Prep, Towson, Maryland
6’2” 280 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 3-Star (85.89) Highlights
White committed to Indiana in the spring. He had a decent senior season with seven tackles for loss. He will be in for spring practice and try to develop into someone who can be in the rotation.
Ja’dyn Williams, LB, Washington, Massillon, Ohio
6’2” 205 lbs. 247Sports Composite Ranking: 4-Star (89.22) Highlights
Williams may be the sleeper of this class. The Hoosiers held off a late push by Ohio State for Williams and he was bumped up late to a four-star prospect. He plays fast and violent on defense. It will be hard to keep Williams off the field as a true freshman and could be one of the foundational players for the defense beyond 2026.