IU Flips Ohio Linebacker Paul Nelson from Cincinnati

Written by T.J. Inman

The Indiana Hoosiers have had another productive week on the recruiting trail. One day after landing Seaonta Stewart from Ohio, the Hoosiers have flipped Paul “PJ” Nelson from the Cincinnati Bearcats. Nelson tweeted out his commitment to Indiana University and new head coach Curt Cignetti on Tuesday evening. The three-star linebacker from Cincinnati had offers from Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, West Virginia and several Group of Five schools. 

Paul “PJ” Nelson had 89 tackles with 23.5 tackles for loss as a junior in 2023 as he starred for Princeton High School. The high tackles for loss number really stands out and it is clearly a point of emphasis for defensive coordinator Bryant Haines in the players he is pursuing on defense. Nelson joins IU’s 2025 class just weeks after Jamari Farmer became the first linebacker commit in the class.

Nelson, a 6’2” and 205-pound prospect, publicly committed right around the same time as offensive line commit Baylor Wilkin. Those two players bring IU’s 2025 class to 20 prospects in total. The Hoosiers are likely only pursuing one more high school player: quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, a five-star prospect that is considering IU along with Auburn, Colorado and USC. As it currently stands, Indiana has a top 50 recruiting class with several players expected to see a bump in rankings that could move IU’s class into the top 40 nationally.

Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage of IU’s recruiting efforts.