Indiana football loses competitive race for three-star defensive lineman in 2026 class

Three-star Center Grove (Indiana) defensive lineman Kobe Cherry has committed to the Purdue Boilermakers over Wisconsin and Indiana.

Cherry also held offers from the likes of Indiana, Toledo, Wisconsin, Louisville, Minnesota, Washington and others.

"Something special is at Purdue," Cherry noted after his official visit. "Brotherhood and structure like no other school in the country, they are going to turn a lot of peoples heads this year."

Cherry becomes the 18th overall commitment in Purdue's 2026 recruiting class.

247Sports ranks Cherry as a three-star recruit, specifically ranked as the No. 112 defensive lineman in the class and No. 17 recruit from his home state of Indiana.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive lineman had an impressive 2024 season with 70 total tackles, three sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

Kobe's older brother Tyler Cherry will serve as a student coach through the upcoming Indiana football season during his recovery from a knee injury as reported by Indy Star. If cleared he will return in 2026, with his brother potentially.

The 2026 Indiana recruiting class includes:

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)

Jay Timmons , Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, DB (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)