Indiana's top 25 high school football prospects entering 2023 season

New Haven's Mylan Graham, an Ohio State commit, tops the list

The season-opening weekend in Indiana high school football is upon us and we wanted to take a look at some of the top college football prospects in the Hoosier State.

We took a different approach for this list and included not only Class of 2024 prospects but also the top guys from the 2025 and 2026 classes. 

It's not an easy task because of course several talented prospects did not make the final 25-prospect list, but here is a quick look at our ranking of the best 25 prospects in Indiana going into the 2023 season.

SBLive's 2023 Indiana preseason Power 25 football rankings

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1. Mylan Graham - WR - New Haven 2024 (Ohio State commit)

An explosive 6-foot-1, 170-pound wide receiver, Graham has become one of the most sought after recruits in the country. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 1,149 yards – an impressive 23.9 yards per catch – and 13 touchdowns, which earned him a selection to the IFCA Top 50 All-State Team. He is rated a five-star recruit and is among the top 20 overall recruits in the Class of 2024. Graham is committed to play at Ohio State and holds several other offers, including from Alabama and Georgia among many others.

2. Mark Zackery IV - DB - Ben Davis 2025 (Uncommitted)

Zackery is a 6-0, 165-pound corner back who is rated as a four-star recruit and the No. 1 overall recruit in Indiana for the Class of 2025. In seven games as a sophomore last season, he totaled 18 tackles and four pass break-ups and added a receiving touchdown on offense. Zackery has received 26 Division I scholarship offers, including from Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.

3. NiTareon Tuggle - WR - NorthWood 2024 (Georgia)

Tuggle had a great junior season last fall. The 6-3, 190-pound receiver caught 40 passes for 792 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 185 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He helped lead Northwood to an 11-1 record, a Northern Lakes Conference title, and he was selected to the IFCA 4A Junior All-State Team. Tuggle is committed to play in the Adidas All-American game. A four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Tuggle committed to play at Georgia over schools like Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, and many others.

4. Ian Moore - OL - New Palestine 2024 (Ohio State)

Moore is a 6-6, 290-pounder who was dominant at offensive tackle for New Pal last season. He helped the Dragons to a 12-1 record, a Hoosier Heritage Conference title, and he helped pave the way for a rushing attack that racked up over 2,500 yards earning him an IFCA Top 50 All-State Team selection. Moore has a four-star rating and is a top 50 overall recruit in the 2024 class per Rivals.com. The big lineman is committed to play for the Buckeyes and holds additional offers from Florida State, Miami, and Notre Dame among many others.

5. Brauntae Johnson - ATH - Fort Wayne North Side 2024 (Notre Dame)

A two-sport star, Johnson has solidified himself as a top recruit in the country. The 6-3, 170 pounder starred at receiver during his junior season and had 69 receptions for 1,081 yards and 16 touchdowns which earned him an IFCA Top 50 All-State selection. A 4 star recruit and a 15 athlete in the 2024 class on 247Sports, Johnson is committed to play at Notre Dame over schools such as Iowa, Penn State, and Tennessee among others.

6. Brock Schott - TE - Leo 2025 (Uncommitted)

As a sophomore last season, Schott starred at both defensive end and tight end while helping Leo to an 8-4 record. The 6-3, 220-pounder recorded 52 total tackles (20.5 TFL) and 12 sacks and scored two defensive touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 468 yards and seven touchdowns, which earned him IFCA 4A Junior All-State honors. Schott is a four-star recruit and a top 10 tight end in the entire 2025 class per 247Sports. He holds Division I offers from schools like Iowa, Miami, and Michigan State among others.

7. Damien Shanklin - DL - Warren Central 2025 (Uncommitted)

Shanklin had a breakout sophomore season last fall. He recorded 31 total tackles (5 TFL), 3 sacks, a forced fumble and another 12 QB hurries while appearing in 11 games. The 6-4, 230-pounder has a four-star composite rating on 247Sports and he is rated as a top 25 edge rusher in the 2025 class. Shanklin currently holds 14 Division I offers including offers from Iowa, Notre Dame, and USC.

8. Styles Prescod - OL - Hamilton Southeastern 2024 (Notre Dame)

Prescod starred on an offensive line that paved the way for a Royals offense that racked up nearly 5,000 yards of total offense last season. HSE rallied to a 12-1 record, a Hoosier Crossroads Conference title, and Prescod was selected to the IFCA Top 50 All-State Team. The 6-6, 280-pound offensive tackle is committed to play at Notre Dame and is rated as a three-star recruit on 247Sports.

9. Eugene Hilton - WR - Zionsville 2025 (Uncommitted)

The son of former Colts pro bowler, T.Y. Hilton Eugene proved to be a key playmaker for Zionsville during his sophomore season. Hilton caught 49 passes for 598 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 550 return yards. The 6-1, 175 pounder is a 3 star recruit on 247Sports and a top 5 rated recruit in the 2025 class in Indiana. He has received 16 Division I offers including offers from Kentucky, Miami, and Ole Miss.

10. Tyler Cherry - QB - Center Grove 2024 (Duke)

As a junior last season, Cherry quarterbacked Center Grove to a 12-2 record and a 6A state title. The 6-5, 205 pounder threw for 2,269 yards and 22 touchdowns and added 4 touchdowns on the ground earning him a selection to the IFCA 6A Junior All-State Team. Cherry picked up 24 Division I scholarship offers before committing to Duke and will look to lead Center Grove to another deep playoff run this fall.

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Cathedral senior quarterback Danny O'Neil / Tyler Hart photo

11. Danny O’Neil - QB - Cathedral 2024 (Colorado)

O’Neil has been a difference-maker for the Fighting Irish the past few seasons. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,654 yards and 32 touchdowns a year ago while adding another nine touchdowns on the ground. Cathedral finished with a 10-2 record and the 6-1, 180-pounder was an IFCA Top 50 All-State selection. O’Neil is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports, and is committed to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado next year.

12. Jo’Ziah Edmond - DB - NorthWood 2024 (Michigan)

Edmond starred on the defensive side of the ball for Warren Central last season as he totaled 28 tackles and five interceptions, which earned him IFCA 6A Junior All-State honors. Now at NorthWood, the 6-1, 180-pounder will bolster a team that finished with an 11-1 record last season. A three-star recruit and a top 50 defensive back in the 2024 class per 247Sports, Edmond is committed to play at Michigan over offers from Kentucky, Penn State, Wisconsin, and many more.

13. Corey Smith - WR - Brownsburg 2024 (Minnesota)

A 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver, Smith has proven to be a big play threat for the Bulldogs. As a junior last season, he caught 40 passes for 811 yards (20.3 YPC) and six touchdowns while helping Brownsburg to a 9-2 record. According to 247Sports, Smith is a three-star recruit and received 16 Division I offers before committing to play for PJ Fleck at Minnesota.

14. Ransom McDermott - OL - Noblesville 2024 (Louisville)

McDermott is a massive 6-7, 300-pound tackle who helped open up holes for an offense that averaged 277 rushing yards per game last season. A three-star recruit, according to 247Sports, McDermott is currently committed to Louisville and also holds other offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, and West Virginia among others.

15. Cameron Herron - OL - Warren Central 2025 (Uncommitted)

A 6-4, 260-pound interior offensive lineman, Herron made an impact last season on a Warren Central offensive line that helped the rushing attack average 240 rushing yards per game. 247Sports has Herron rated as a three-star recruit as well as a top 10 recruit in Indiana for the Class of 2025. He has picked up 12 Division I offers including offers from Duke, Iowa, and Purdue.

16. Mason Alexander - DB - Hamilton Southeastern 2025 (Uncommitted)

A 6-0, 161-pound cornerback, Alexander had an impressive varsity debut season a year ago. He recorded 21 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, and 2 fumble recoveries. Alexander also handled kickoff return duties and averaged nearly 25 yards per return, including a kickoff return for a touchdown. The three-star recruit on 247Sports has received 11 Division I offers, including offers from Auburn, Florida, and Ole Miss.

17. Michael Thacker - DL - New Palestine 2025 (Uncommitted)

Thacker had a dominant sophomore season for the Dragons last season. The 6-2, 260-pounder recorded 103 total tackles (34.5 TFL), 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery while helping New Pal to an 11-1 record. According to 247Sports, Thacker is a three-star recruit and he has received six Division I scholarship offers, including an offer from Tennessee.

18. Mariyon Dye - DL - Elkhart 2025 (Uncommitted)

In just six games his sophomore year, Dye proved to be an impactful player for Elkhart. The 6-6, 240-pound edge rusher had 19 tackles (2 TFL), 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. He has made noise on the recruiting circuit as 247Sports has him rated as a three-star and he has picked up offers from Cincinnati, Purdue, and Tennessee among others.

19. Xavier Williams - RB - Lake Central 2024 (Iowa)

Williams was tough to bring down during his junior season as he rushed for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games – which earned him IFCA 6A Junior All-State honors. The 6-0, 220-pounder is a three-star recruit on 247Sports and received 10 Division I scholarship offers before committing to the University of Iowa.

20. Tyrone Burrus - DL - Warren Central 2025 (Uncommitted)

In nine games for Warren Central last season, Burrus emerged as a force on the Warriors defensive line. Burrus recorded 31 total tackles (6.5 TFL), 3 sacks, 18 QB hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and a blocked field goal. The 6-4, 210 pounder is rated a 3 star recruit and a top 5 recruit in Indiana for the 2025 class per 247Sports. Burrus has received 13 Division I scholarship offers including Big 10 offers from Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Purdue.

21. Jimmy Sullivan - QB - Carroll 2025 (Uncommitted)

Sullivan starred for Carroll as a sophomore first-year starting quarterback last fall. The 6-3, 170-pounder threw for 2,203 yards and 27 touchdowns along with scoring nine touchdowns on the ground as he led the Chargers to a 13-1 record, a conference title, and a runner-up finish in 6A. The three-star recruit (247Sports) has picked up an offer from Minnesota as well as offers from seven Mid-American Conference schools.

22. Carmine Orozco - DL - Mishawaka 2025 (Uncommitted)

Orozco showed versatility and a nose for the ball during his sophomore season last fall as he recorded 58 tackles while playing both nose tackle and defensive end. He helped Mishawaka to an 11-2 overall record and a second place finish in the Northern Lakes Conference. Currently rated as a three-star prospect on 247Sports, the 6-4, 270-pounder has received six Division I offers including offers from Cincinnati and Indiana.

23. Jackson Willis - QB - Indianapolis Lutheran 2026 (Uncommitted)

Willis is coming off of a monster sophomore season. The left-handed throwing QB led Indianapolis Lutheran to a perfect 15-0 record and the 1A state championship. The 6-2, 192-pounder was the state leader in passing yards (4,169) and passing touchdowns (55) and earned an IFCA 1A Junior All-State selection. Willis is receiving interest from several Power 5 schools and is poised for another big season for the Saints.

24. Bo Polston - QB - Decatur Central 2026 (Uncommitted)

A freshman starter last fall, Polston proved himself to be reliable running the offense as he threw for 1,683 yards and 15 touchdowns and added another three touchdowns rushing. The 6-2, 200-pounder has a bright future ahead of him and he has already received five early Division I offers, including an offer from Indiana.

25. JJ Finch - DL - Warren Central 2026 (Uncommitted)

In limited time during his freshman season, Finch showed flashes of talent on the defensive line. The 6-3, 240-pounder totaled 12 tackles (.5 TFL) and four QB hurries. He has already received offers from Indiana, Jackson State, Marshall, and Western Michigan and he will step into a bigger role for the Warriors defense this season. 

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