Four-star QB Tyler Cherry commits to Indiana: 'I'm super-excited to be able to stay home'

The decision is in for Tyler Cherry, one of the nation’s top uncommitted quarterbacks.

Cherry, the No. 6-ranked QB in the On300 out of Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove High School, committed in-state to the Hoosiers on Tuesday ahead of National Signing Day on Wednesday. Cherry, the one-time Duke verbal commitment, picked Indiana over Michigan State.

First-year coach Curt Cignetti, OC Mike Shanahan and QB coach Tino Sunseri have been there before, the No. 105 player in the country said, and he’s excited to play for those coaches in his backyard.

“I’m super-excited to be able to stay home at Indiana. It’s gonna start a movement — for people to stay in-state to realize Indiana is the real deal and people will see it. How can you not want to stay home and play for your in-state team?” Cherry told On3.

“The coaching staff did a great job recruiting me. I loved their vision and what they have, and what they see the program being — a championship-caliber team, and that’s hard to pass up.”

The On300 passer from the Midwest backed off his commitment to the Blue Devils on December 15, shortly after Mike Elko accepted the head coaching gig at Texas A&M.

Cignetti and the Hoosiers zeroed in on keeping Cherry in-state shortly upon their arrival in Bloomington.

“I definitely fell in love with Indiana,” the quarterback said. “It’s a Power 5 school 40 minutes from my house, it’s something you can’t pass up.”

“Other people will start to see that, too, especially in-state,” Cherry continued. “Coach Cignerri has a vision for the program and it’s very special. He has all of the pieces and all the tools he needs to take the program to new heights.

“He has a great track record with Coach Tino and Coach Shanahan. They have a great track record with QBs and I feel I can get the best QB development there at Indiana. They’ve done this before. Coach Cignetti has turned around two other programs in no time. He has all the pieces to do that again with Indiana.”

Tyler Cherry Scouting Summary

“Tall, big-framed quarterback with a big arm and considerable developmental upside given his physical tools and room for growth as a player. Checks in between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 and around 210 pounds. Has a big frame and is relatively thin at his weight. Looks to have plenty of room to fill out. A first-year starter as a junior at one of Indiana’s top high school programs. Played behind former 4-star Tayven Jackson. Touts a big, live arm. The football noticeably jumps out of his hand. Drives the ball downfield without strain. Looks to be among the better downfield passers in the 2024 cycle. Makes high-level, small window throws over the middle of the field. Loose and fluid mechanically. A bouncy mover in the pocket. Shows encouraging reactive quickness in dealing with the pass rush. Sidesteps rushers, resets and fires. Plays with an air of decisiveness that belies his lack of varsity experience. Capable of picking up yards when the play breaks down.

“Stands in the pocket and is willing to take big hits unlike some of his highly-touted peers. Plays in a projectable scheme where he works from under center and off of play action. Led Center Grove to a state title in his first year as a starter. Completed 65% of his passes for 2,269 yard and 22 touchdowns against five interceptions, passing for an efficient 10.6 yards per attempt. Plays in a run-heavy offense that does not always put the ball in his hands in big situations. Will need to continue honing his overall consistency and field vision, which could come with more in-game reps. Physical tools and room for improvement point to a high, translatable upside with further development.”