Bringing the best high school prospects in the state of Indiana to Bloomington is a top priority for Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers.
Earlier this summer, 5-star WR Monshun Sales, who hails from Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, became the first 5-star high school commit in Indiana football recruiting history. Earning more in-state recruiting victories like that is what Cignetti and company are looking to make a regular occurence.
With the class of 2027 all but wrapped up, Cignetti and the Hoosiers have started to shift their focus to the 2028 and 2029 recruiting cycles.
Indiana’s top target makes big splash in first 2029 Rivals rankings
Cignetti is looking to earn a fast start when it comes to the 2029 recruiting cycle. One player he has his sights set on is 2029 linebacker Austin Phillips. Hailing from East Noble High School in Kendallville, IN, Phillips is already being heralded as the top prospect in the state of Indiana after a sensational freshman season last fall. Now, that is official.
Rivals has released its first official 2029 recruiting rankings, and Phillips is near the top of the list. Earning a 4-star rating, Phillips comes in as the No. 8 overall prospect in the country as well as the top player in The Hoosier State.
🚨NEW🚨 LB Austin Phillips ranks No. 8 in the initial Rivals 2029 Top 100 football rankings.https://t.co/5b7gaxJSl4 pic.twitter.com/jbpcDEo8IH
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 17, 2026
Owning a 6'2" 215-pound frame, Phillips is a force at linebacker. He put together an eye-popping freshman season in which he racked up 99 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles. While he projects as a linebacker at the college level, he also thrives as a running back. As a freshman, Phillips totaled an impressive 967 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 8.13 yards per carry. For his efforts, he earned First-Team NE8 All-Conference honors and was named the NE Indiana GameNight Newcomer of the Year.
Curt Cignetti has big opportunity to make early statement in 2029 recruiting class
With Phillips earning a Top-10 overall spot in the Rivals 2029 rankings, Cignetti has a big opportunity on his hands. Phillips is already firmly on Indiana's radar, and Cignetti and his staff have a great chance to bring another top Indiana high school prospect to Bloomington.
Phillips has already put his fall visit schedule together, and he is wasting no time getting to Bloomington. The highly-touted prospect is set to be on campus for Indiana's season opener against North Texas on September. The Hoosiers will be looking to make a lasting impression.
But Indiana isn't the only school on his list. Phillips is also slated to visit Ohio State on October 3, Tennessee on October 17, Michigan State on November 7 and Purdue on November 21. He will also be visiting Notre Dame twice, with visits planned for September 19 and November 21.
The competition for Phillips's services is already fierce, and things are only going to ramp up from here. With the recruiting momentum that Cignetti has gained over the last two years, Hoosier fans are hoping his elite success on the trail continues.
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