Top 20 Indiana high school football players from the Class of 2021

Video: Yanni Karlaftis Highlights
Watch the state's No. 2 overall prospect in action as a junior.

The last three years Indiana University has signed four of the Hoosier State’s Top 20 prospects. This year the Hoosiers are on pace to have another productive haul in their home state. Indiana owns commitments from four of the state’s Top 20 2021 prospects according to 247sports and is the heavy favorite for a fifth. Indiana signed six of the state’s Top 20 prospects in 2017.

In-state rival Purdue has commitments from three prospects, while Cincinnati, which signed just one of Indiana’s Top 20 prospects the last two years, currently has pledges from three as well.

Lineman (eight offensive and four defensive) dominate the Indiana rankings.



See the complete Top 20 as compiled by 247Sports composite below. 1. Blake Fisher, Avon
6-5 | 336 | OG | Notre Dame
The 4-star prospect is the Fighting Irish’s second highest ranked recruit in current class and the country’s No. 8 tackle prospect. Holds over 32 offers, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and Wisconsin. Will play in the All-American Bowl. Says 247sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu: “Could play either right or left tackle in college, but is high upside player who can play for any program in the country. Should be selected in the top half of the NFL draft when that time comes.”

2. Yanni Karlaftis, West Lafayette
6-2 | 203 | OLB | Undecided
Country’s No. 16 outside linebacker prospect and 4-star recruit has been a contributor since his freshman season. Has 233 tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss, seven fumble recoveries and seven interceptions heading into senior season. Holds 12 offers, with Purdue, Wisconsin, Oregon and California listed as favorites. Brother George plays at Purdue. Owns an impressive 30.6-inch vertical. Says Trieu: “His size and tools allow him to project to multiple roles and schemes. If he can improve on testing numbers, he would have a chance to hear his named called fairly early in the NFL draft when that time comes.”

3. Donaven McCulley, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
6-5 | 195 | DUAL QB | Indiana
Considered the nation’s No. 11 dual-threat quarterback prospect. Committed to the Hoosiers on June 11. Purdue, Michigan State, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi and Cincinnati also among his suitors. Four-star prospect threw for 1,958 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. Also added 563 yards rushing. Says Trieu: “Could potentially play another position but has good upside as a quarterback. If the talent gets polished, he can start at a high-major level and have a chance to play beyond college.”

4. Cooper Jones, Valparaiso
6-6 | 245 | SDE | Indiana
Top 30 strongside defensive end prospect nationally. Had 49 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks last season. Father Eric played at Notre Dame. Picked the Hoosiers over Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Purdue and Central Michigan. Says Trieu: “Not necessarily a twitchy edge rusher but projects to strongside end. High floor prospect due to size, way he plays and base athleticism.”

5. Rodney McGraw, Elkhart Central
6-5 | 223 | WDE | Penn State
Ranked among the Top 30 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Over the past two seasons has registered 118 tackles, 39.5 tackles-for-loss, 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles. His 14 offers include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State and Cincinnati. Also plays basketball.

6. Kyran Montgomery, Pike (Indianapolis)
6-4 | 215 | WDE | Undecided
Top 30 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Has tallied 150 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss and six sacks the past two seasons. Among his 22 offers, Arizona State, Boston College, Minnesota, Missouri, Penn State and Purdue are listed as favorites.



7. Daylan Carnell, Ben Davis (Indianapolis)
6-1.5 | 195 | CB | Missouri
Ranked the nation’s No. 33 cornerback prospect committed to the Tigers on June 1. Had 33 tackles and five interceptions last season. Vertical is an impressive 31 inches. Picked Missouri over Notre dame, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue, Washington state, West Virginia, Indiana, Louisville, Duke, Cincinnati and Michigan State.

No. 40 tackle prospect nationally is the Bearcats highest-ranked recruit in the current class. Also owns offers from Indiana, Purdue, Kansas and Ball State.

9. Joshua Sales, Brownsburg
6-6 | 285 | OT | Undecided
Top 45 tackle prospect nationally. Holds 18 offers, including West Virginia, Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, Purdue, Arizona State and Michigan State. Indiana is listed as the heavy favorite.

10. Preston Terrell, Brownsburg
6-3 | 180 | WR | Purdue
One of the country’s Top 100 receiver prospects. Also holds offers from Indiana State, Ball State and Akron.

11. Austin Booker, Center Grove (Greenwood)
6-5 | 235 | WDE | Minnesota
Considered a Top 50 weakside defensive end prospect nationally. Committed to the Golden Gophers on May 30. Registered 67 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles last season. Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Indiana, Purdue, Iowa and Vanderbilt among his 20 offers.

12. Zen Michalski, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs)
6-6 | 280 | OT | Louisville
Country’s No. 52 tackle prospect committed to the Cardinals on April 25. Holds 22 offers, including Indiana, Cincinnati, Michigan state, Mississippi and Kansas State. Says Trieu: “Trajectory is headed upwards. Works very hard. Should develop into a starting left tackle and has the upside to potentially project as an NFL prospect.”

13. Aaron Steinfeldt, Bloomington North
6-5 | 230 | TE | Indiana
Top 40 tight end prospect nationally. Committed to the Hoosiers on April 3. Caught 40 passes for  546 yards and five touchdowns last year. Holds 11 offers, including Cincinnati, Toledo, Boise State and Virginia.



14. Theran Johnson, North Central (Indianapolis)
6-0 | 170 | CB | Northwestern
Country’s No. 76 cornerback prospect committed to the Wildcats on May 3. Had 62 tackles and four interceptions a year ago. Also holds offers from Ball State, Miami (OH), Cincinnati and Central Michigan.

15. Jaelin Alstott-Vandevanter, Mooresville
6-7 | 260 | OT | Purdue
Top 100 tackle prospect nationally. Indiana and Cincinnati have also offered.

16. Zach Richards, Mooresville
6-3 | 296 | OG | Purdue
Country’s No. 49 guard prospect picked the Boilermakers over Indiana, Illinois, Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Ohio.

17. JoJo Johnson, Merrillville
5-11 | 170 | WR | Cincinnati
Ranked the nation’s No. 71 athlete prospect. Washington State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Toledo among his 14 offers.

18. Vinny Fiacable, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
6-4 | 300 | OG | Indiana
Top 50 guard prospect nationally committed to the Hoosiers on April 6. Holds 15 offers, including Louisville, Cincinnati, San Jose State and Ohio.

19. Mahamane Moussa, Pike (Indianapolis)
6-5 | 260 | OT | Undecided
Top 100 tackle prospect nationally. Boston College, Louisville, Wake Forest, San Diego State, Memphis and Kansas among his 18 offers.



20. Jalen Monrrow, Lafayette Jefferson
6-4 | 258 | SDE | Cincinnati
Country’s No. 75 strongside defensive end prospect committed to Bearcats on April 7.  Says Trieu: “High upside. Versatile and will make an impact in college because of ability to move around the line and athletic ability.”