The national championship game might be a once-in-a-decade moment for most players, but for one Hoosier, it was literally a revenge game. And in the most poetic way possible, the Miami native made sure he had the last laugh while dismantling his very own hometown program. No, we are not talking about Fernando Mendoza.

One of the biggest story headlines of the Hoosiers game, apart from Mendoza’s superman-esque touchdown, was Miami native Jamari Sharpe’s interception to end his hometown’s first-ever natty. Right after the natty dub, the Indiana Hoosiers’ DB Jamari Sharpe rubbed salt into the wounds with a ‘should’ve recruited me when you had a chance’ message:

“This game meant a lot to me, you know?” Sharpe said to Jenny Dell of CBS Sports. “Growing up, I ain’t gonna lie. I always wanted to be a Miami Hurricane. I always wanted to play in the Dolphins’ stadium, as you can see. They didn’t recruit me. So, I just took that, brought it on the field, brought that anger on the field to make a good play to seal the deal for my team.”

The former Miami Northwestern standout grew up wanting to play for The U at Hard Rock Stadium. But Miami never recruited him or showed any love to the three-star prospect. Mind you, he committed to the Indiana Hoosiers back when they were the losingest program in all of college football, as part of the Class of 2022.

He went through a couple of 3-5 win seasons until Curt Cignetti arrived from James Madison with the “Google me, I win” mantra. And boy, did it pay off on the biggest stage of the school and his career.

Miami was trailing by 6 points with less than a minute left and was driving down the field. Carson Beck threw a ball that was just a bit short for wide receiver Keelan Marion. Sharpe jumped up in the air and grabbed the pigskin with just 44 seconds left on the clock.

More ironically, this loss feels like a two-edged sword for the Miami Hurricanes. Jamari is the nephew of former Miami player Glenn Sharpe, who was involved in the heartbreaking, controversial pass interference call in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl that cost Miami a title.

It’s safe to say that Jamari not only avenged his own recruiting snub but also reversed the family’s football honour. Sharpe ended the game with 6 tackles, along with that crucial interception. Not bad for someone who’s been rejected during Miami’s worst period.

That said, the question arises. What’s next for Indiana’s second-favourite athlete?

An insight into Jamari Sharpe’s football future

Right now, Jamari Sharpe is sitting on top of the world as a national champion, and he’s got some choices to make. Since he was a redshirt junior during this perfect 16-0 season, he’s officially eligible to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. After that game-sealing pick, his draft stock has never been higher. He’s going into the offseason with 49 tackles and 4 forced fumbles.

Even with the NFL calling, it’s not a done deal that he’s leaving Bloomington. He’s basically a legend at Indiana now. His teammates, like Fernando Mendoza, most definitely are going pro. So, there’s a real chance Sharpe returns for his final year of eligibility.

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Coming back would make him the leader of a defense that oddsmakers already have as a top contender to repeat as champions in the 2026-27 season.

We should know his official move very soon, as the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft usually hits in late January. By next week, or sooner, we’ll get a clearer idea of his future.