Indiana linebacker Jacob Savage is making a loud first impression before ever taking a snap for the defending national champions.
The incoming freshman has chosen to wear No. 21 for the 2026 season at Indiana Hoosiers, a nod to Grammy Award-winning rapper 21 Savage.
It’s an unconventional but memorable connection for a program coming off a historic title run under Curt Cignetti.
21 Savage jersey is gonna go crazy #iufb pic.twitter.com/OyxvE1AZlo
— Teddy Bailey (@ByTeddyBailey) February 10, 2026
Savage, a consensus three-star prospect, arrives in Bloomington as the No. 5 overall recruit in Kentucky, according to ESPN. All four major services rate him among the top 80 linebackers nationally.
The high school resume is outstanding. Savage finished his high school career with a program-record 511 tackles and 39 tackles for loss, leading the state in stops as a sophomore and earning the Paul Hornung Award as Kentucky’s top high school football player as a senior. He was also named KHSAA Class 6A District 6 Player of the Year and helped guide his team to back-to-back state semifinal appearances.
Savage’s athleticism extended beyond defense. He totaled 3,584 all-purpose yards and 65 touchdowns, rushing for 2,835 yards while adding 749 receiving yards during his prep career.
As for the artist behind the inspiration, 21 Savage has left an indelible mark on hip-hop with hits like “A Lot,” “Rich Flex” and his feature on Post Malone’s “Rockstar.”
For Indiana, No. 21 now comes with both swagger and sky-high expectations to hold it down on the field.
