National signing day: Indiana football commitments for early period

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National signing day: Indiana football commitments for early period

The early signing period is underway. Here is look on what is happening with the top in-state prospects:

J.J. Finch, Warren Central

Probably the most intrigue surrounding signing day is the decision of Warren Central defensive lineman Jerimy Finch Jr., who plans to make his announcement at 6 p.m. at his high school. The 6-3, 280-pound Finch committed to Alabama in June but he finished Tennessee in November, creating some question on what he will announce.

Warren Central High School senior Jerimy Finch (11) watches for the ball during the second half of an IHSAA varsity football game against Lawrence Central High School, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Lawrence Central High School. Warren Central won, 31-21.

Finch, rated as a three-star prospect by 247sports and the No. 11 in-state prospect, finished his senior season with 85 tackles (58 solo), 23 TFLs, 7 ½ sacks, two rushing touchdowns, one punt return for a TD and a safety.

Other in-state storylines for signing day:

State's top recruit

Despite a late offer from new LSU coach Lane Kiffin, it appears the state's top recruit is staying firm with Ohio State.

On Monday, Fort Wayne Northrop four-star wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford – considered the top prospect in the state by recruiting services 247sports and On3 – posted on his social media that he had been offered by LSU. Which is interesting timing, of course, ahead of signing day and Kiffin’s hiring as coach at LSU.

On Tuesday, Guilford seemed to erase any doubt by posting that he planned to sign with Ohio State. Guilford caught 54 passes for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.

Indiana’s in-state haul

Indiana is expecting signings from seven in-state commitments, eight if you count former Lutheran standout defensive lineman Cameron McHaney, who finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida. The IU in-state commits in the current 22-player class:

*Cameron McHaney, IMG Academy: The 6-1, 315-pound former Lutheran standout left for IMG Academy going into his junior year and is rated as a four-star prospect now by On3. He committed in July after an official visit. He also took official visits to Purdue and Vanderbilt.

*Parker Elmore, Columbus North: The three-star tight end caught 58 passes for 927 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in just eight games. He has ranked as the third-best prospect in the state by 247sports.

*Kasmir Hicks, Decatur Central: The wide receiver/defensive back/returner committed to Indiana in the spring. Hicks, ranked sixth in the state by 247sports, picked IU over Cincinnati, Louisville, Missouri and Vanderbilt.

*Trevor Gibbs, Crown Point: The 6-4, 235-pound linebacker/tight end, rated seventh in the state by 247sports, committed to IU in May over Iowa, Illinois, Cincinnati, Purdue and others. Ranked No. 7 in the state by 247sports.

*Benjamin Novak, Andrean: The 6-6, 310-pound Novak flipped from Wisconsin to Indiana last month after questions surrounding the future of Wisconsin’s coaching staff. He visited IU and reconnected with the coaches. Novak helped Andrean to the Class 2A state title over the weekend. Ranked No. 16 in the state by 247sports.

*Blake Smythe, Franklin: The 6-3, 275-pound defensive lineman committed to Indiana in May over Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin and others. Smythe, ranked 20th in the state by 247sports, had 59 tackles and 22 TFLs as senior.

*C.J. Scifres, Center Grove: The three-star offensive lineman is ranked as the No. 33 in-state prospect in the senior class by 247sports.

*Jackson Tolle, Hamilton Southeastern: Tolle is a long snapper rated No. 1 in the country in his class by Kohl’s Professional Camps, which rates kickers, punters and snappers. The preferred walk-on is rated ahead of other long snappers committed to UCLA, Kansas State, Texas and Michigan.

Purdue in-state commits

Purdue is expecting three in-state signings in its current 21-player class:

*Brock Brownfield, New Palestine: The 6-4, 270-pound Brownfield, an offensive line recruit, is coming off back-to-back state championships at New Palestine. The three-star prospect is ranked as the No. 17 in-state recruit in the class.

*James Williams Jr., Lawrence Central: The 6-3, 275-pound Williams committed to Purdue in June over Michigan State. Williams is rated as the No. 18 in-state recruit in the class.

*Kobe Cherry, Center Grove: The 6-5, 275-pound defensive line prospect is a three-star prospect rated No. 23 in the class by 247sports.

Other top players expected to sign

Other than top-ranked Guilford (Ohio State) and others listed above, the other highly-ranked players in the in-state class expected to sign (rankings by 247sports):

No. 2: Aaden Aytch, Lafayette Jeff: The 6-4 edge rusher will sign with Minnesota.

No. 4: Tyler Ruxer, Heritage Hills: The three-star tight end will sign with Oklahoma.

No. 8: Terry Walker, Hamilton Southeastern: The three-star quarterback will sign with Duke.

No. 9: Dane Bathurst, Carmel: The outside linebacker flipped from Duke to Oklahoma.

No. 10: Carsen Eloms, Fishers: The cornerback will sign with Wisconsin.

No. 12: Jett Goldsberry, Heritage Hills: The defensive back/quarterback will sign with Ole Miss.

Other confirmed expected signings among area players

Avon

William Johnson, OL: Kent State

Nate Onoja, DL: Indiana State

Brownsburg

Mezziahs McDaniel, OL: Illinois State

Avin Robinson, WR: Central Michigan

Cathedral

Zyon Hill, DB: Ball State

Gannon Knowles, LB: Ball State

Van Krisiloff, K: Eastern Michigan

Jackson Harvey, WR: Butler

Henry Lewis, K/P: Butler

Michael Pugh, DL: Butler

Alex Couch, LB: Butler

Lawrence North

Breck Mallory, LB: Western Michigan

Fishers

Gage Sturgill, QB: Western Illinois

Carmel

Anthony Coellner, QB: Boston College

Isaac Nelson, DB: Wake Forest

Kaiden Bower, LB: Charlotte

Flynn Hornsby, TE/LB: Taylor

Heritage Christian

Andrew Sloan, WR: Butler

Center Grove

Dominick Barry, TE: Wake Forest

Brady Weber, OL: Ball State

Charlie Mandabach, OL: Central Michigan

Decatur Central

Alec Surber, OL: Austin Peay

Fa’Rel Carter, ATH: Eastern Michigan

Bo Polston, QB: Toledo

Tyler Cooper, OL: UIndy

Westfield

Malachi Mills, OL: Kansas

Job Mavrick, OL: Ohio

Cato June, DB: Sam Houston State

New Palestine

Jacob Davis, QB: Towson

Abe Walling, DL: Army

Desmond Palmer, DB: Indiana State

Cardinal Ritter

Terry Robinson, DL: Northern Illinois

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: National signing day: Indiana football commitments for 2025

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