The Indiana Hoosiers aren’t looking too far ahead-but with the college football transfer portal wide open and the offseason heating up, they don’t have much of a choice. The program is staring down one of the most critical tasks of any successful football operation: finding the next quarterback to lead the charge.
That’s because Fernando Mendoza, the Cal transfer who lit up the Big Ten and captured the Heisman Trophy while guiding Indiana to a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, is expected to take his talents to the NFL. And with projections placing him firmly in the top five of the upcoming draft, it's safe to say Bloomington will be bidding farewell to one of the most impactful single-season players in program history.
So now the question becomes: who’s next?
Some might point to the most obvious option-Alberto Mendoza, Fernando’s younger brother, already on the Hoosiers’ roster. The younger Mendoza has the bloodline and the benefit of learning behind one of the best. But don’t expect head coach Curt Cignetti to stop there.
Cignetti has built a reputation as a quarterback developer and program builder, and with the portal brimming with experienced arms, Indiana is almost certainly going shopping. The goal? Find a seasoned signal-caller who can step in and keep the momentum rolling-someone who doesn’t just fill a gap, but elevates the offense.
One name that’s already generating buzz: Josh Hoover.
Hoover, who’s made a name for himself at TCU, is exactly the kind of quarterback who fits this mold. He’s racked up 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns in his career-more than any other Division I quarterback with eligibility remaining. And with a 19-12 record as a starter, he brings a track record of experience and production that’s hard to ignore.
Hoover’s availability gives Indiana a real shot to reload rather than rebuild. And under Cignetti, who’s already proven he can turn a transfer QB into a Heisman winner, the pitch practically writes itself. For a quarterback looking to take the next step, Indiana’s offense offers a proven system and a national stage.
Hoosier fans won’t forget what Fernando Mendoza did in Bloomington anytime soon. But if Cignetti can land a player like Hoover, there’s a real chance the next chapter under center could be just as exciting.