Jerimy “JJ” Finch Jr., the top-ranked 2026 football recruit from Indiana, is strongly considering Purdue as one of his potential college destinations. Over the weekend, Finch revealed a list of 13 schools he’s still weighing, including six Big Ten programs—Purdue, Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Illinois—as well as national powers like Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Florida, and Miami.
A 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive lineman, Finch is rated as a three-star prospect and is ranked No. 435 nationally by 247Sports. He’s a major target for multiple programs, especially in-state schools such as Purdue, Indiana, and Notre Dame. Landing him would mark a significant recruiting win for Barry Odom and his staff in West Lafayette.
Finch is the son of Jerimy Finch, a former defensive back who played for both Florida and Indiana during his college career. Purdue currently holds six commitments in its 2026 class, ranked 45th in the country, with linebacker Brayden Sweeney the only defensive player in the group so far.
