Curt Cignetti, Indiana Hoosiers' culture wins over another recruit

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Curt Cignetti, Indiana Hoosiers' culture wins over another recruit

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jun 3, 2026 10:46 PM ET

Curt Cignetti has built a powerhouse program for the Indiana Hoosiers in just two short seasons.

The Hoosiers are the defending national champions after an undefeated season, a Big Ten championship, and a legendary run through the College Football Playoff.

Oh, they also boast Fernando Mendoza, the last Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as a recent alumnus.

Indiana has it going on, and those vibes are translating onto the 2027 recruiting trail as well.

The Hoosiers' latest commitment, four-star running back Da'Jon Talley-Rhodes, said as much when he made his decision to commit to Indiana over Wisconsin, Penn State, Washington, Michigan State and Boston College.

BREAKING: Four-Star RB Da’Jon Talley-Rhodes has Committed to Indiana, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’1 205 RB chose the Hoosiers over Penn State and Boston College

“I’M HOME BABY!!!”https://t.co/6yJFgVW4e4 pic.twitter.com/kxORaW8ddm
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 3, 2026

He took an official visit to Bloomington this past weekend, and that sealed the deal for the Hoosiers.

Culture at Indiana wins over four-star RB Dajon Talley-Rhodes

“I was impressed with their culture. They are champions and run the hell out the ball," Talley-Rhodes had previously told Rivals. "Indiana probably has the best culture in college football right now and they are continuing to build. It is special to see and I feel special having a chance to be a part of that."

Talley-Rhodes is a part of it now, and the Hoosiers are getting an intriguing running back recruit as a result.

From Washington, D.C., he's ranked as the No. 30 running back in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports. He's a three-star according to 247Sports and the composite rankings, though Rivals ranks him as the No. 35 running back in the country but considers him a four-star.

Either way, he's commitment No. 11 for the Hoosiers in 2027. He was also highly thought of by the Hoosiers. Per Alec Lasley of Rivals, Indiana running backs coach John Miller visited Talley-Rhodes in DC just a week after the Hoosiers won the national championship.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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