4-Star LB Jalaythan Mayfield Commits to Indiana Over Georgia

Written by: TJ Inman

It’s not often that the Indiana Hoosiers beat out the Georgia Bulldogs for a linebacker that both schools value very highly, but on Friday, that’s exactly what occurred. Jalaythan Mayfield, a four-star prospect from North Carolina, announced that he has committed to the Indiana Hoosiers. He joins Garyon Hobbs as the second linebacker in the 2027 recruiting class and he is the 13th member of what is now a nearly complete group. Mayfield is ranked 217^th nationally in the composite rankings and he is the 16^th-best linebacker in the class.

At 6’1” and already 230 pounds, Jalaythan Mayfield has the physical profile to make an impact early in his collegiate career. He is a star for Lincolnton High School and he chose Indiana over a “who’s who” list of finalists that included Alabama, Oregon, Miami and Georgia. Late in his recruitment, his list was trimmed to a trio of Miami, Georgia and the Hoosiers before he ultimately announced his commitment on June 19. As a junior, he racked up 152 tackles with six sacks and six forced fumbles while also running the ball 63 times for 343 yards with 13 touchdowns.

Gabe Brooks of 247Sports described Mayfield as a “physical off-ball linebacker who thrives in the box and a volume tackler with corresponding production and noteworthy impact playmaking.”

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The defensive class being assembled, while relatively small in quantity, is quite impressive. The Hoosiers have landed four-star pass rushers Reinaldo Perez and Myles Smith, linebackers Mayfield and Garyon Hobbs and secondary players Chris Bradley, Rico Jackson, Brady Scott and Ramir Harris-Dupree. The staff would still like to add a safety or two, an offensive lineman and top target Monshun Sales before the end of the summer.