Indiana Hoosiers Reload for 2026 After National Championship Run
The confetti's barely settled, but in Bloomington, the grind never stops. After a hard-fought 27-21 win over Miami to claim the national title, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti gave his staff a well-earned day off.
But by Thursday, he’s back in the office, already eyeing what’s next. And make no mistake - there’s plenty on the docket as the Hoosiers set their sights on 2026.
From quarterback transitions to roster turnover and portal reinforcements, Indiana’s title defense will be shaped by how well they manage the months ahead. Let’s break down what’s next for the reigning champs.
Quarterback: A New Era Begins
The biggest question in Bloomington? Who’s under center in 2026.
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza hasn’t made anything official, but all signs point to him heading to the NFL Draft - and likely as the top overall pick. That’s a tough act to follow, but Indiana wasted no time lining up his successor.
Enter Josh Hoover.
The former TCU quarterback is a proven commodity, ranked No. 5 among transfer quarterbacks and bringing a résumé that includes 31 starts, more than 9,600 passing yards, and 71 touchdowns. He’s not Mendoza - and expecting a repeat Heisman campaign would be unfair - but Hoover’s skill set fits Indiana’s offensive identity like a glove. He thrived in an RPO-heavy system at TCU, which should make the transition to Mike Shanahan’s offense relatively seamless.
Hoover will be the third straight transfer quarterback to lead the Hoosiers under Cignetti, following Kurtis Rourke in 2024 and Mendoza in 2025. That track record should give fans confidence - this staff knows how to identify, develop, and win with veteran signal-callers.
One wrinkle: depth. Fernando’s younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, entered the transfer portal, leaving Indiana a bit thin behind Hoover. Expect the staff to explore options to fortify the QB room before spring ball.
Roster Turnover: Managing the Exodus
Championship rosters don’t stay intact forever. Indiana’s title team was heavy on upperclassmen, and several key contributors are moving on - either due to eligibility or the NFL Draft.
Among the notable departures:
- RB Roman Hemby
- **WRs Elijah Sarratt and E.J.
Williams Jr. **
- TE Riley Nowakowski
- C Pat Coogan, RT Kahlil Benson
- DL Mikail Kamara, Dominique Ratcliff
- LB Aiden Fisher
- S Louis Moore
That’s a lot of production walking out the door. But it’s not all exits - some cornerstone players are sticking around.
Left tackle Carter Smith, an All-American and anchor up front, confirmed he’ll return. Guards Drew Evans and Bray Lynch could also be back, giving Indiana continuity at three starting spots along the offensive line. Versatile lineman Adedamola Ajani, who started multiple games including a CFP tilt, is a redshirt freshman and eligible to return as well.
On defense, Amare Ferrell, a starting safety, told local media he’s coming back - a big win for the secondary. Meanwhile, All-American corner D’Angelo Ponds has yet to announce his plans, and several other draft decisions are still pending.
There’s also a key staff vacancy: Derek Owings, Indiana’s strength and conditioning coach and a longtime Cignetti lieutenant, has taken a job at Tennessee. That’s a critical hire Indiana will need to get right to maintain the physical edge that helped fuel their title run.
New Faces, Big Expectations
Despite the losses, Indiana’s 2026 cupboard is far from bare.
Young talent like WR Charlie Becker, DL Mario Landino, and LB Rolijah Hardy are expected to return and take on bigger roles. But the real story is the transfer portal - and Indiana crushed it.
Seventeen players joined the Hoosiers during the winter window, and several could be instant-impact starters:
- WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State): One of the portal’s top wideouts, Marsh has 100 catches, 1,311 yards, and nine touchdowns over the past two seasons. He brings size, experience, and a knack for winning contested balls.
- RB Turbo Richard (Boston College): Led BC in rushing last year with 749 yards and nine scores. A downhill runner with burst, he could step right into Hemby’s vacated role.
- EDGE Tobi Osunsanmi & Chiddi Obiazor (Kansas State): Combined for 10.5 tackles for loss last season. They bring speed and versatility off the edge - exactly what Indiana needs to reload its pass rush.
- CB A.J. Harris (Penn State): A two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, Harris brings experience, physicality, and production - including five TFLs, six PBUs, and a pick in the last two seasons.
- OL Joe Brunner (Wisconsin): A rock-solid guard with 39 career games and over 1,700 snaps under his belt. He’s battle-tested and Big Ten-ready.
Given Cignetti’s recent success with transfers, there’s every reason to believe this group will be more than just stopgaps - they’re foundational pieces for another title push.
Staying Hungry at the Top
The Hoosiers made history in 2025. Now comes the harder part: sustaining it.
With the target firmly on their backs, Indiana will enter 2026 as the hunted, not the hunter. That means culture, continuity, and commitment to the process become even more critical. Cignetti knows it - and he’s not backing down from the challenge.
When asked whether a 16-0 season and a national title should be the new standard, Cignetti didn’t bite. He knows how rare perfection is in this sport.
“From a schedule and record standpoint, I guess that would be the absolute definition of perfection, and perfection is impossible to attain on a consistent basis,” he said. “We’ll continue to take it one day at a time, one meeting at a time, one practice at a time and just keep improving and committing to the process and showing up prepared, trying to put it on the field and see where it takes us.”
That mindset - focused, grounded, and relentless - is exactly what got Indiana to the mountaintop. And it’s what will give them a shot to stay there.