Four-star defensive end prospect Ronelle Johnson has committed to the Indiana football program

The Show-Me-State native chose the Hoosiers over Kansas State, Missouri and Ole Miss.
Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Charlotte football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Charlotte football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Blue Springs, Missouri native and four-star defensive end Ronelle Johnson has committed to Indiana over Missouri, Kansas State and Ole Miss, making him the second commit of the weekend for the Hoosiers football staff.

The 6’4″, 260-pound prospect also held offers from Iowa, Oregon, Purdue, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.

In 2024 as a junior, Ronelle Johnson had 60 tackles, three forced fumbles,14 tackles for loss to go along with 4.5 sacks.

Johnson is the 21st commitment in the Indiana Hoosiers 2026 recruiting class which is now ranked 25th nationally by 247Sports composite rankings. The Hoosiers hold the No. 25 class nationally and No. 8 in the Big Ten according to the 2026 cycle Rivals Industry Ranking

“Ronelle Johnson is one of the more physically impressive prospects on the defensive side of the ball in this 2026 cycle and has the numbers off the field to back it up as well,” Rivals National Scout Cody Bellaire previously wrote on Johnson. “During his sophomore track and field season, Johnson threw over 49 feet in the shot put as well as a 138-foot discus, That raw power shows up on Saturdays where he can be seen bullying offensive linemen at the point of attack. But Johnson has some impressive bend and ability to get after the quarterback as well with advanced hand usage for his age and excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. One of the safest prospects on the defensive side of the ball in 2026.” 

Take a look at his full highlights HERE.

The 2026 Indiana recruiting class now includes (21 total commits):

Ronelle Johnson, Blue Springs, Missouri, EDGE (4-Star)

Walker Bryson, Rabun Gap, Georgia, WR/ATH (3-Star)

Jamar Owens, Douglasville, Georgia, S (3-Star)

Jackson Tolle, Fishers, Indiana LS (NR)

Cash Herrera, La Jolla, California, QB (3-Star)

Jayreon Campbell,  Powder Springs, Georgia, RB (3-star)

Parker Elmore, Columbus, Indiana, ATH/TE (3-Star)

CJ Scifres, Greenwood, Indiana, iOL (3-Star)

Kevontay Hugan, Sarasota, Florida, Edge Rusher (4-star)

Kortez Rupert, East St. Louis, Illinois, WR/KR (3-star)

PJ MacFarlane, Lakota, Ohio, TE (3-star)

Kenton Mondeau, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, OL (3-star)

Gabe Hill, Naperville, Illinois, DL (4-star)

Henry Ohlinger Columbus, Ohio) LB/RB (4-star)

Kasmir Hicks, Indianapolis, Indiana CB/WR (3-star)

Blake Smythe , Franklin, Indiana, DL (3-star)

Sam Simspon , River Falls, Wisconsin, IOL (3-star)

Jacob Savage, Union, Kentucky, LB (3-star)

Trevor Gibbs, Crown Point, Indiana, TE (3-star)

Rodney White, Towson, Maryland, DL (3-star)