Indiana football hosting major 2026 five-star prospect Zion Elee this weekend

The recruiting momentum for Indiana football is continuing as yet another five-star prospect has either scheduled a visit or will be making a visit this weekend.

This time it comes by the way of 2026 elite pass rushing prospect Zion Elee from Joppatowne (Md.). Elee is a five-star prospect in the class and ranked No. 22 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings.

Elee is a 6-foot-5, 225-pounder who holds offers from Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami, Florida State and others. He has taken visits to Maryland and Penn State.

He is coming off of a tremendous sophomore season when he totaled 64 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He totaled 38 tackles and 13 sacks as a freshman as well.

“Joppa (Md.) Joppatowne EDGE Zion Elee has everything you want in a modern edge rusher, hovering around 6-foot-4, 225 pounds with superb athleticism and the power to knock back offensive linemen against either the run or the pass,” 247Sports national scout Hudson Standish wrote last month at the Under Armour Next Camp. “There were plenty of reps during 1-on-1s where Elee would blow past offensive linemen with his speed or set them up outside only to quickly redirect inside and glide by without being touched.

“Elee’s lack of a seasoned pass-rushing bag of moves showed up in two lost reps against Iheanacho, but other than the pair of attempts against the five-star offensive tackle Elee was by far the best front seven defender in attendance.”

Indiana football has 11 commitments in the 2025 class, a class that is ranked 40th nationally. Its incoming transfer class is ranked 27th overall in the country.

“Why shouldn’t we be in that position?” IU head coach Curt Cignetti said last month about getting five-stars on campus. “We’re a state school, and the Big Ten and SEC are calling all the shots in college football. With the proper commitment (from the administration), any team really in the Big Ten, especially that has a state name, should — can be successful.”

SEE ALSO: With momentum gaining on the recruiting trail, Curt Cignetti flipping narrative around Indiana football: ‘Why shouldn’t we be in that position’

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.