Chandler Whitmer, Indiana’s new quarterbacks coach, landed his first high school commitment yesterday in Jameson Purcell, a four-star quarterback from Maine South High School in Illinois.
Purcell announced his commitment on Twitter:
Beyond excited & grateful for the opportunity to be a HOOSIER & proud to announce my commitment to Indiana University! Thx to my family, coaches & friends for the support! Cant wait to get to work w @CCignettiIU @chandlerwhitmer @CoachShanahan_ pic.twitter.com/zm2Z0B0eKz
— Jameson Purcell (@jameson_purcell) July 21, 2025AD
Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Purcell is considered the 20th best player in his class and the tenth best prospect overall in the state of Illinois. Purcell chose the Hoosiers over offers from Arkansas and Auburn, among others.
As a sophomore at Maine South - a powerhouse program in Illinois - Purcell led his team to the third round of the IHSA 8A playoffs. For those unfamiliar with Illinois high school football, 8A is the highest division, and he was in his first season as a starter.
Per Hudson Standish of 247Sports, Purcell was around 6’1” and 190 lbs with room to grow and a solid frame to build on.
Though he’s still a few years from graduating in the class of 2027, this is a big get for Curt Cignetti and his staff. Cignetti has relied heavily on the portal for quarterback talent in his first two seasons, landing Fernando Mendoza and Kurtis Rourke in his first two years.
This strategy relies on elite talent being in the portal in the first place, a gamble in and of itself, then requires going out and getting one of a handful of guys.
Not only can this get pricey as the big name players negotiate NIL deals, but it hasn’t resulted in longevity at the quarterback position for Curt Cignetti. Few of us would complain if Mendoza develops into the early draft pick scouts believe he could, but that would leave Indiana without a quarterback again, likely looking to the portal.
Once Purcell gets to campus, Cignetti and Whitmer will have their multi-year starter to develop in their system and hopefully bring some stability to the position.
More from crimsonquarry.com:
- Three-Star ATH/QB Reese Taylor commits to Indiana
- Report: Indiana, Indiana State to open 2017-18 college basketball season in Bloomington
- Indiana adds former Ole Miss commit and top corner in Tennessee, Jaylin Williams
- Camion Patrick and TJ Simmons injured, done at Indiana
- Big Ten announces Indiana’s 2017-2018 opponents
