Countdown to 2026 Indiana Football- 60 Days CJ Scifres

The memories of IU’s unprecedented and historic unbeaten run to the National Championship are still fresh in our minds but the work is just beginning for the 2026-2027 Indiana Hoosiers. As Curt Cignetti and his staff gear up for year number three in Bloomington and embark on a quest to become repeat champs, Hoosier Huddle’s Countdown to Kickoff rolls on!

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 312 pounds

Hometown: Bargersville, IN (Center Grove High School)

Class/Position: Freshman/Offensive Line

Much of the success for the remarkable turnaround of the Indiana football program goes to stars like Fernando Mendoza or Elijah Sarratt or defensive studs like Mikail Kamara or even coaches like Curt Cignetti and Bryant Haines. While each of those elements absolutely deserve credit, Indiana does not sniff the College Football Playoff or a 16-0 season without the amazing performance of the offensive line. Bob Bostad’s unit has been rock solid in each of the past two seasons and the big boys upfront helped IU average more than 200 yards per game on the ground in 2025/2026.

The Indiana Hoosiers averaged 39.5 points per game (against FBS opponents), the third-best mark in the country and none of that would be possible without a great offensive line. IU returns four starters (counting Adedamola Ajani) and added All-Big Ten guard Joe Brunner (Wisconsin) to form what should be a fantastic starting five upfront. Four of those five players are seniors that will be gone after this season so a reset on the line is coming. That’s where the young depth pieces come into play and today’s profile piece, CJ Scifres, is one of the pieces for the future. 

Scifres is a 6’5” freshman that starred at Center Grove High School before making the short trip from Bargersville to Bloomington. He won a state title with the Trojans as a freshman and was selected to the Indianapolis Star Central Indiana Super Team as a senior as Center Grove ran for 232.1 yards per game while averaging 34.4 points per contest. Scifres was a three-star prospect and a bit under the radar as the 18^th ranked prospect in Indiana (ESPN). Bob Bostad liked him though and believed he was worth pursuing and bringing into his position group. Scifres joins fellow freshmen Ben Novak and Sam Simpson along with redshirt freshmen Matt Marek, Evan Parker and Baylor Wilkin to form the young core that will compete to be part of IU’s future starting offensive line.

Scifres is an offensive guard that will play on the interior of the line. He’ll almost certainly spend this season getting acclimated to the collegiate game and refining his frame while redshirting. Indiana is expected to add four, possibly even five, true freshmen in the 2027 recruiting class so competition for playing time amongst underclassmen in the 2027 season and beyond will be intense.  

The countdown continues each day on Hoosier Huddle until IU kicks off the 2026 season against the North Texas Mean Green!