{
  "id": 13907018,
  "title": "How IU football's 2026 starters stack up vs Ohio State? What the star rankings say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/how-iu-footballs-2026-starters-stack-up-vs-ohio-state-what-the-star",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T08:03:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/iu-footballs-2026-starters-stack-080340606.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indiana and Ohio State football teams squared off in a highly anticipated matchup on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Indiana, ranked No. 4, will face off against Ohio State, ranked No. 5. Indiana has a more robust recruiting profile compared to last year, with an increase in 4-star recruits, top 100 recruits, and a decrease in unranked players. Despite these improvements, there remains a significant contrast between the two teams in terms of star rankings.\n\nIn the quarterback position, Indiana's Josh Hoover from 2022 stands at 3-stars (national rank 709), while Ohio State's new recruit Julian Sayin from 2024 is a 5-star (national rank 6). In the skill positions, Indiana boasts wide receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, both 3-stars (national ranks 977 and 922), alongside receiver Shazz Preston and running back Turbo Richard, both 4-stars (national ranks 56 and 1,421). Ohio State's wide receiver Devin McCuin from 2023 and safety Devin Sanchez from 2025 both hold 3-star rankings (no. 922 and 8 respectively).\n\nThe offensive line sees Indiana's Carter Smith (3-stars, national rank 730) and Luke Montgomery (0-stars) taking on Ohio State's Ian Moore (4-stars, national rank 168) and Luke Montgomery (4-stars, national rank 92). Defensively, Indiana's Mario Landino (3-stars, national rank 2,398) and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (4-stars, national rank 60) face off against Ohio State's Eddrick Houston (5-stars, national rank 26) and Qua Russaw (5-stars, national rank 35). Indiana's linebackers Isaiah Jones (3-stars, national rank 997) and Christian Alliegro (3-stars, national rank 1,271) will compete against Ohio State's Payton Pierce (4-stars, national rank 204) and Christian Alliegro (3-stars, national rank 1,271). Lastly, Indiana's cornerbacks Jaylen Bell and Jamari Sharpe (both 3-stars) will face Ohio State's Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Devin Sanchez (both 4-stars). Finally, Indiana's safeties Byron Baldwin Jr. and Jaylen McClain (both 4-stars) will take on Ohio State's Qua Russaw and Jaylen McClain (both 5-stars).",
  "summary": "Did Indiana football close the talent gap with Ohio State? Here's how the recruit rankings for IU football's starters compare to Ohio State:",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}