Could Indiana Football Land the Nation’s Most Coveted Defensive Line Prospect?

Indiana football is riding a tidal wave of excitement and opportunity after clinching its very first national championship just last month. You know, the kind of victory that doesn’t just fill trophy cases but also flips the recruiting playbook upside down. Under Curt Cignetti’s sharp guidance, the Hoosiers stormed through an 11-2 debut season, then went unbeaten in the regular season to grab the Big Ten crown in 2025—setting the stage for an unforgettable playoff surge that culminated in a nail-biter win over Miami for the title. This seismic shift isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s opening doors that once seemed firmly shut. Take Jalen Brewster, a top-tier defensive lineman out of Texas who once leaned toward Texas Tech but now finds Indiana knocking on his door again—championship flag in hand, no less. It’s a story brimming with twists: hometown ties, coaching changes, and a recruiting chess match that’s just getting started. Plenty of time remains for the Hoosiers to turn potential into commitment, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. LEARN MORE

Indiana football’s recruiting outlook has changed in the wake of the Hoosiers’ first national championship win last month.

The program was already positioned for success on the recruiting trail after a strong 11-2 first season under head coach Curt Cignetti followed by a 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten championship in 2025. Then Indiana went on a sensational run through the College Football Playoff before holding off Miami in the National Championship Game.

All that winning could help open a door that previously appeared to be some level of closed.

Jalen Brewster, a 5-star defensive lineman out of Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, was recruited pretty heavily by Indiana before committing to Texas Tech this past October. He’s the highest ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2027 by both On3/Rivals and 247Sports. The Red Raiders are an in-state program experiencing a surge as of late with strong play from the defensive front, earning a top-4 seed in this past season’s playoff, so the commitment makes sense.

There’s wrinkles though. For one, Brewster is originally from Indianapolis. His father, Robert Brewster, was a teammate of Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines when the two were at Ball State. Texas Tech defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch’s contract was not renewed this offseason.

Asked if he was solid with Texas Tech after Fitch’s departure, Brewster replied “No,” per On3/Rivals.

Indiana is still actively recruiting Brewster, with defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz paying him a visit after the Hoosiers’ national championship win, sporting some championship attire in the process:

There’s nothing definitive, but Brewster’s situation is one worth keeping an eye on. There’s plenty of time to go between now and either signing period, so there’s an opening for other programs to keep recruiting him.