Indiana Poised For Solid Class

Here we are, a day away from Indiana landing one of its best football recruiting classes, and if that means beating Purdue for in-state talent (and it does), all the better.

Assuming, of course, that nobody changes his mind.

Indiana got the best of Purdue in the state for the first time in memory. The key is safety Jerimy Finch from Indianapolis Warren Central. He's listed as the top player in the state and the No. 37 player nationally. The 6-1, 203-pounder is committed to the Hoosiers, although Michigan and Florida remain in the picture.

"Finch would be Indiana's first top-100 player in a long time," national recruiting expert Tom Lemming says.

Other top recruits include tight Max Dedmond from Evansville, offensive lineman Dennis Ziegler from Indianapolis Pike, quarterback Teddy Schell from Illinois and three other Warren Central players -- cornerback Chris Adkins, defensive tackle Jeff Boyd and offensive tackle Andrew McDonald.

"Ziegler (6-7, 310 pounds) has good potential, long arms and he's a big kid," Lemming says. "If Schell could put on weight (he's listed now at 6-5 and 205) he could be a real find."

Overall IU has 20 commitments with seven coming from the state of Indiana.

"Indiana addressed their needs everywhere," Lemming says. "I'm impressed with their class."