Indiana Football’s ’27 Class is at 8 as IU Looks to Add More Ahead of Official Visit Weekend

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (1) and linebacker Isaiah Jones (46) reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Football season is always evolving, opening up new doors and closing old ones. For Coach Curt Cignetti and his staff, work began moments after his team hoisted the 2026 National Championship trophy over their heads. For Indiana Football's 2027 recruiting class, seven players have committed to wear the cream and crimson jerseys. The Hoosiers hope to sway more prospects this weekend during Official Visits. Four players will attend, including two already committed Hoosiers, Branden Sharpe and Jordan Carrasquillo. With multiple offers out for the class of 2027, momentum continues, and the Hoosiers seek their next recruiting win. Commitments (Class of 2027) Mason McDermott, Offensive Line, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, IN The 6-foot-7 offensive tackle made his commitment to become a Hoosier on May 17, 2026, just two days after his official visit to Bloomington. McDermott is rated a four-star prospect by 247 Sports, coming in 5th in Indiana and 305th nationally. The 285-pound tackle consistently uses his large frame and athleticism to displace heavier opponents, and uses his footwork and agility to his advantage. McDermott chose Indiana over an impressive 18 offers, including Northwestern, Missouri, and UCLA. The Indiana native will be packing up his bags and moving just a handful of miles down the road to the place he always knew he would call home. Jameson Purcell, Quarterback, Main South, Park Ridge, IL Purcell committed to Indiana on July 21, 2025. He chose IU over offers from California State, Auburn, Florida, and Arkansas. Purcell claimed the starting quarterback position in Week 4 of his sophomore season at Maine South, finishing the season 7-1 as a starter. In his 2025 campaign, the three-star prospect brought Maine South to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the Illinois 8A playoffs. The dual-threat quarterback completed 226 of 362 passes for 2,871 yards and found momentum downfield, carrying the ball 51 times for 253 yards and 28 passing touchdowns. Purcell has proven to be calm under pressure and confident in the pocket, allowing him to successfully clear traffic, throw on the run, and extend the play. The lefty finds his receivers in tight windows and continuously uses his downfield vision to hit his targets. Garyon Hobbs, Linebacker, Christian Academy of Louisville, Louisville, KY The defender out of Louisville, Kentucky, committed to IU on Jan.10, 2026, just 24 hours after the Hoosiers’ 56-22 Peach Bowl victory over the Oregon Ducks. Hobbs is listed as an athlete but is a “do it all” defender, who can slot in as a backer or a safety depending on personnel. He also displayed offensive prowess, with over 500 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, along with five interceptions, over 16 games in his 2025 season at Atherton High School. The three-star prospect, according to 247 Sports, chose Indiana over offers from schools like Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky. Hobbs is listed at 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, and his versatility as a defender will make him a difference-maker for this Hoosiers’ defense in the 2027 season. Jeremiah Jones, Offensive Lineman, Michigan City High School, Michigan City, IN Jones is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports and made his commitment to IU on Jan. 31, 2026. Jones is a top-20 player in the state of Indiana and signed with the Hoosiers on his Junior Day visit. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound tackle uses his size to his advantage, overpowering his opponents and forcing them to their back feet. Jones is a relentless player, continually creating lanes for his running backs and ensuring his quarterback has time. Jones received four offers and chose IU over Miami (OH), Toledo, and Western Michigan. Branden Sharpe, Wide Receiver, Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg, IN Athleticism arrives in the form of wide receiver Branden Sharpe, who made his commitment to IU on May 18, 2026. The three-sport athlete finds excellence on the track, the basketball court, and the football field at Brownsburg High School. As a track and field athlete, Sharpe’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash equals 11.17, and a solid 18-4 in the long jump. In his junior season on the basketball court, Sharpe averaged 8.4 points per game, controlled the glass with 3.3 rebounds per game, and was a formidable defender, accumulating 2.6 steals per game. As fall rolled around each season, so too did football, and Sharpe excelled on the gridiron, finishing his sophomore season with 66 passes for 1,165 receiving yards, averaging 17.7 yards per catch, and seven touchdowns. The following year, in 2025, Sharpe made his presence impossible to ignore, accumulating 59 receptions for 1,143 yards, averaging 19.4 yards per catch, and 13 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 junior also brought Brownsburg High School football two consecutive Indiana State Championships. For Sharpe, every season arrives with a different uniform and a new teammate, but his versatility as an athlete has paid dividends to his football capabilities. Sharpe consistently wins at the line of scrimmage and uses his speed and quickness to separate from defenders. His sheer athleticism will continue to be a difference maker. He has also proven to be a strong returner, finishing his sophomore and junior seasons with 2 kickoff returns for a touchdown. Sharpe chose Indiana over Cincinnati, Purdue, and Vanderbilt. Rico Jackson, Safety, Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg, MD Jackson committed to Indiana on May 16, 2026, and received a total of 23 offers. He landed in Bloomington over schools like Virginia Tech and Penn State. Jackson is an instinctual athlete whose speed translates to all three phases of the game. He is projected to be a corner in college, but could easily help the Hoosiers as a special teamer on day 1. He has a nose for the football and is extremely disruptive to opposing offenses. 247 Sports has labeled Jackson as a three-star prospect and is the No. 25 overall prospect in Maryland. Jackson might not be the largest defensive back on the field, as he stands at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 165 pounds; however, he makes up for it with his physicality and relentless effort. Jordan Carrasquillo, Wide Receiver, Milton High School, Alpharetta, GA Carrasquillo rounds out the seven commits so far for the class of 2027. He made his choice on May 21, 2026. Carrasquillo is a top-104 wide receiver nationally. A few years ago, at Milton High School, Carrasquillo could be found with a lacrosse stick in his hands and a pretty certain fate at Ohio State, where he was committed to becoming a Buckeye. However, football had other plans, as the 6-foot-1 receiver had a breakout season his junior year with 33 catches for 586 yards, averaging 17.8 yards per catch, and seven touchdowns. Carrasquillo's athletic ability extends beyond the two fields and bleeds into track, where he has a respectable sprinting career. On the football field, Carrasquillo is a matchup nightmare and uses his large frame and strength to blow past defenders and win contested balls. The three-star prospect chose Indiana over offers from Maryland, Cincinnati, and Kentucky. Myles Smith, Edge, Farmington High School, Farmington, MI All eyes turned to Indiana as the Hoosiers landed a standout edge rusher out of Farmington, Michigan, on May 28. Myles Smith has garnered a composite rating as a 4-star prospect, and according to 247 Sports, Smith is the No. 8 player in the state of Michigan and is ranked 32nd among edge rushers in his class. Smith went on his official visit to Indiana on May 15 and made his decision shortly after. Smith stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. Smith has a phenomenal pass rush move set, plays fast down the line, and can recognize the run and adjust. He is a standout player on the basketball court, and that athleticism translates to the football field, where he uses his vertical to cut off passing lanes and defend receivers near the line of scrimmage. Smith chose Indiana over Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Official Visits (May 29) Da'Jon Talley-Rhodes, Running Back, St. John's College, Washington, DC Jahmiere Daniels-Portis, Linebacker, Springfield High School, Springfield, OH Jordan Carrasquillo, Wide Receiver, Milton High School, Alpharetta, GA (Committed) Branden Sharpe, Wide Receiver, Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg, IN (Committed)

Indiana Football’s ’27 Class is at 8 as IU Looks to Add More Ahead of Official Visit Weekend

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