Could Indiana Football secure the commitment of Five-Star Julian Lewis? The answer might not hold as much significance as one would initially think. Lewis is presently committed to USC, yet he is exploring all his recruiting options, including a visit to Indiana.
In a similar scenario from 2019, highly sought-after defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux took all of his official visits, including one to Florida A&M, despite the slim chances of him signing with them. Indiana football, however, stands in a much better position with regards to potentially landing Lewis compared to FAMU’s chances with Thibodeaux. Despite Lewis being a firm commit to USC, he desires to keep his options open and intends to visit other schools such as Auburn, Colorado, and Georgia, in addition to Indiana.
The mere inclusion of Indiana football on Lewis’s visit list is noteworthy. Should Indiana manage to pull off a surprise and secure Lewis’s commitment, it would mark a significant milestone, making him the highest-rated recruit in the school’s history and the first five-star signee. Even if Lewis ultimately chooses not to sign with Indiana, his visit underscores Coach Curt Cignetti’s ambition to compete for top-tier high school recruits nationally.
Lewis’s presence on campus serves as a testament to a larger strategic plan. Cignetti and his coaching staff have openly expressed their desire to win immediately. To achieve this goal, they have heavily recruited experienced players through the transfer portal. Their belief is that winning now will enhance high school recruiting efforts and establish a level of sustainability previously unseen in Indiana football.
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Cignetti understands the crucial role that high school recruiting and player development play in building a sustainable college football program. Lewis’s visit to campus exemplifies Cignetti’s unwavering dedication to this principle.
While the odds of signing Lewis may seem slim, his presence on campus is undoubtedly a positive development for the Hoosiers. Nevertheless, given Cignetti’s determination, Indiana might just pull off a surprise and sway Lewis away from USC.
