December 3rd is the beginning of the Early Signing Period for the 2026 Football high school class. We will have it all covered. This thread will serve as the home for all our player blurbs. So instead of posting 25 articles, we will post the player profiles here and put out an offense and defense breakdown of the class as well as some other insights.
Right now it looks like the entire class will sign with all but three players being early enrollees.
It seems like there are always some surprises on signing day.
@zeke4ahs we are flipping every 5* tomorrow, big if true 😉
Sammy do you know which players are for sure not early enrolling?
Blake Smythe has signed.
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.
Jacob Savage has signed
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.
Parker Elmore has signed
Parker Elmore
Position: TE
Height/Weight: 6’5” 225lb
Hometown: Columbus, IN (Columbus North HS)
24/7 Composite Ranking: 3-star, No. 44 ranked TE in 2026 class
An Indiana native, Elmore adds size and depth to the Indiana TE room. Despite missing time due to transferring high schools and a knee injury, Elmore has good movement skills and some positional flexibility, which could help IU fill some gaps in their roster. While his development may take some time, he has a high potential in both the receiving and run-blocking game.
C.J. Scifres
Position: OL
Height/Weight: 6’6” 325lb
Hometown: Greenwood, IN (Center Grove HS)
24/7 Composite Ranking: 3-star, No. 152 ranked OL in 2026 class
Another in-state prospect from Greenwood, IN, Scifres’ commitment helps to strengthen the in-state pipeline with Center Grove high school. At 6’6 325lb Scifres is another big-bodied lineman who will provide some much needed depth and size to the interior of the Indiana offensive line.
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.”
Lavar Keys
Position: WR
Height/Weight: 5’9” 165lb
Hometown: Hyattsville, MD (Dematha Catholic)
24/7 Composite Ranking: 3-star, No. 108 ranked WR in 2026 class
Capitalizing on the firing of James Franklin, Indiana was able to flip Penn State commit Lavar Keys. A true speedster receiver, Keys comes to IU by way of Dematha Catholic, one of the powerhouse programs on the East Coast, where he had 63 catches for 13 touchdowns as a junior. Given his size and speed, Keys will be a threat lining up in the slot. Since he is not an early enrollee, it may take him a bit longer to develop, however his speed will likely allow him to see the field as a gadget guy in situational scenarios.
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.
PJ MacFarlane
Position: TE
Height/Weight: 6’5” 205lb
Hometown: Middletown, OH (Lakota East HS)
24/7 Composite Ranking: 3-star, No. 62 ranked TE in 2026 class
At 6’5” 205lb, MacFarlane has a prototypical tight end build which will allow him to be effective both as a blocker and a passcatcher. Like Keys, MacFarlane will not be enrolling early which could slow down his development, but given his size and ceiling, he has the potential to be a multi-threat tight end for the Hoosiers.
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.
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.”
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