Indiana Adds True Under-the-Radar Commitment

The Hoosiers, and more specifically, offensive line coach Bob Bostad, were very impressed by Pugh’s performance at a recent camp. Indiana quickly locked in an official visit and picked up a commitment during the weekend while he was in Bloomington.

At quick glance, this may seem like an odd take by the Hoosiers. Before Indiana arrived at the scene, the only FBS offers Pugh held were from Western Michigan, Army and Navy. If Coach Bostad hadn’t found the 6-foot-3, 295-pound interior lineman at a camp, Pugh’s likely destination would have been the Ivy League, at either Cornell, Brown, UPenn or Yale.

Prior to Indiana’s miraculous turnaround under head coach Curt Cignetti, a commit like this wouldn’t have gained any attention. But with how well Cignetti and his staff have been able to identify talent, you can be sure that plenty of college coaches checked out Pugh’s highlight tapes after news spread of his commitment.

That is because the Hoosiers are suddenly respected around the nation. Programs are also very jealous of how quickly they managed their turnaround. Copying them is an easy (and lazy) way to try and do the same. With that said, don’t be surprised if other programs come sniffing around Pugh in the coming months.

However, unlike pre-Cignetti times, this is a different Indiana. Programs will try to copy, but that is easier said than done.