The Indiana Hoosiers have had a highly productive week on the recruiting front. Just a day after securing a commitment from Seaonta Stewart of Ohio, the Hoosiers successfully flipped Paul “PJ” Nelson from the Cincinnati Bearcats. Nelson announced his commitment to Indiana University and new head coach Curt Cignetti on Tuesday evening via Twitter.
Nelson, a three-star linebacker from Cincinnati, had a host of offers from major programs, including Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, West Virginia, and several Group of Five schools.
As a junior in 2023, Nelson was a standout at Princeton High School, recording 89 tackles and an impressive 23.5 tackles for loss. This statistic highlights a key focus for Indiana’s defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who emphasizes aggressive play in his defensive recruits. Nelson’s commitment follows that of Jamari Farmer, making him the second linebacker to join IU’s 2025 class.
Nelson, a 6’2” and 205-pound prospect, made his public commitment around the same time as offensive line recruit Baylor Wilkin. With these additions, IU’s 2025 class now includes 20 prospects. The Hoosiers are likely targeting just one more high school player: quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, a five-star talent considering Indiana along with Auburn, Colorado, and USC.
Currently, Indiana boasts a top 50 recruiting class, with several players poised for ranking boosts that could elevate IU’s class into the top 40 nationally.
Stay tuned to Hoosier Huddle for ongoing coverage of Indiana University’s recruiting efforts.