Purdue Football – 2026 Countdown to Kickoff – #99 Josiah Hope
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Josiah Hope
*Note: Name links to official Purdue Bio.
Bio
Position: Defensive Line / Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 300
Hometown: Radcliff, Kentucky
High School: North Hardin
Recruiting Class: 2026
Eligibility Remaining: 4
High School Recruiting Rankings: Rating: 3*(89) – National Rank: 463 – Position Rank: 49
High School
- Senior Season Stats: 76 Tackles, 18 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 Sacks
- Career Stats: 129 Tackles, 32 Tackles for Loss, 12 Sacks
- Considered the top overall prospect in Kentucky for the 2026 class
- Rated a 4* recruit by 247 Sports and ESPN
- Committed to Purdue, flipped to Louisville, then flipped back to Purdue…feels good, man…
High School Highlights
College Highlights / Interviews
2026 – Season Outlook
Reserve/Redshirt
Thoughts
Hope was a huge get for Coach Odom, Coach Kane, and Coach Green. Hope originally committed to Purdue, but then former head coach / current Boilermaker recruiting stalker Jeff Brohm flipped him to Louisville. On signing day, Hope decided to stick with his original and correct decision and flipped back to Purdue. He’s the highest-rated recruit in Purdue’s 2026 class and has the potential to be a cornerstone of the defense line in the not-so-distant future.
While his talent is undeniable, it will most likely take him a season to get fully up to speed, but he certainly has an opportunity to make the defensive tackle rotation in camp. He’s big enough to be a run-stuffing defensive tackle, but could also slide over and play more of a disruptive, penetrating defensive tackle because of his uncanny agility.
Hope is the type of player who, dare I say… gives me hope for the future of Purdue football, and is the perfect player to start the countdown to the 2026 season.
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