Huge commitment for Indiana as 4-star recruit Henry Ohlinger gives pledge to Hoosiers

Columbus (Ohio) Grandview Heights On300 linebacker prospect Henry Ohlinger has committed to Indiana.

The four-star recruit chose the Hoosiers over his other top schools in Boston College, Iowa, Miami, Rutgers and Virginia. Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Bryant Haines was the lead recruiter.

“Indiana has been great to me for a while now, and Coach Haines and Coach Cignetti have been great and are great,” Ohlinger said. “I think that Indiana is the best place for me to develop as a player and a person under Coach Haines.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Ohlinger becomes commit No. 2 for head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff in the 2026 recruiting class.

On3 tabs Ohlinger as the No. 6 recruit in Ohio and No. 106 prospect in the country.

Ohlinger has been to Bloomington several times in the past.

“Bloomington with College Gameday and an undefeated season made for a great game,” Ohlinger said of his October experience. “The student section was huge, stadium was packed and it was amazing environment. 

“I’m also excited about the relationship I’m building with the coaches. I appreciate Coach Haines taking time to talk with me after the game, shows a lot about the culture they are building at Indiana.”

Ohlinger’s family is excited as well.

“There’s a palpable energy and momentum when you’re on campus,” Ohlinger’s father John said. “When you talk to Coach Cignetti, Coach Haines, they’ve been consistent, they’ve been great to us, There is an energy to the program. there is an investment made that our family is excited about. We’re excited Henry is going to be part of the growth story for Indiana and can’t wait.”

Why new Indiana commit Henry Ohlinger is ranked so high at On3

Ohlinger will add to the championship culture being built at IU.

A two-way standout for Grandview Heights, Ohlinger rushed for 1,728 yards averaging over 12 yards per carry as a junior. He racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards and scored 32 touchdowns with zero fumbles. He led the team in tackles averaging close to 12 per game.

“Going beyond what he is as a player, the quality of kid he is,” Grandview Heights head coach Jason Peters said. “For as good of a player he is, he’s better human being. That makes him a dream to coach. He’s a leader on and off the field. Just a great human being.

“He’s pretty damn good as player.”

That last part excites Hoosier nation looking to build on a College Football Playoff appearance this past fall.

“Just the fact that he plays hard and it’s not about him,” Peters said. “He’s very much a team player. He realizes as a running back he’s only as good as his offensive line. When he went for 350 and six touchdowns and someone asked him after the game and he said without hesitation that’s because the offensive line didn’t let me get touched. Right away he said that.

“When he makes play at linebacker he talks about the defensive line eating up blocks and letting him make plays. Just the ultimate team player. If we need him to he’ll run out on special teams for us. He’ll return kicks for us when teams are dumb enough to kick to him.”