Purdue flips commitment of 2026 Kentucky DT who was one-time Louisville pledge

Purdue has flipped the commitment of 2026 DT Josiah Hope, a one-time Louisville commitment. Hope, a product of Hardin High in Radcliff, Ky., was on an official visit to West Lafayette earlier this month. Shortly after his visit to campus, Hope de-committed from Louisville. The 6-3, 300-pound Hope also had offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, LSU, Wisconsin and others.
Hope now becomes the highest-rated recruit in the Boilermakers’ 2026 recruiting class, and first four-star prospect, holding a 90 rating by On3, while being the 274th ranked player in the class and second-best in Kentucky.
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Purdue now has three defensive line commits in the class, with Hope joining Aiden Solecki and Max Carmicle.
Hope’s commitment also gives the Boilermakers 16 pledges in the 2026 recruiting class, also joining three-star quarterback Corin Berry, three-star defensive backs Raderrion Daniels, Emoni Smith and Dana Greenhow, three-star linebacker Brayden Sweeney, three-star running back Izaiah Wright, three-star wide receivers Brandon Kinsey and Kymistrii Young, and three-star offensive linemen James Williams, Brock Brownfield, Terrell Berryhill and Rico Schrieber.
MORE: 2026 Purdue commitments