Indiana football has found itself in an enviable position over the past two seasons-strong quarterback play, marquee wins, and a trophy case that’s suddenly a little heavier. But as the Hoosiers look ahead to 2026, there’s a new question on the table: Who’s next under center?
With head coach Curt Cignetti at the helm, Indiana has turned the quarterback position into a strength. In 2024, Kurtis Rourke guided the Hoosiers to an 11-2 finish, setting the tone for what came next.
That “next” was Fernando Mendoza, who not only led Indiana to a Big Ten Championship in 2025 but also brought home the Heisman Trophy. That’s elite company-and big shoes to fill.
The good news? There are options.
Indiana has a few in-house candidates, like Alberto Mendoza-yes, Fernando’s younger brother-and Tyler Cherry, who’s working his way back from injury. But don’t be surprised if the Hoosiers dip into the transfer portal again to find their next signal-caller.
And if they do, here are a few names that could be on the radar.
Transfer Portal Quarterbacks to Watch
Josh Hoover (TCU)
Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
Beau Pribula (Missouri)
Drew Mestemaker (North Texas)
Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati)
Let’s start with the name that Indiana fans already know well: Brendan Sorsby.
This wouldn’t be a reunion-it’d be a homecoming. Sorsby began his college career in Bloomington, arriving as a late signee after the Hoosiers brought in Walt Bell as offensive coordinator following the 2021 season.
He redshirted in 2022, sitting behind Connor Bazelak and others, before battling Tayven Jackson for the starting job in 2023. Sorsby ended up starting the back half of that season before Tom Allen was let go and the program reset.
After transferring to Cincinnati, Sorsby found his stride. He’s been the Bearcats’ starter for the past two seasons, and the numbers back up his growth:
- 2024: 2,813 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 64% completion rate. Added 447 yards and 9 scores on the ground.
- 2025: 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 61.6% completion rate. Also ran for 580 yards and 9 more touchdowns.
Those are not just respectable numbers-they’re productive, balanced, and show real dual-threat capability. Sorsby brings a physical, athletic presence to the position, with enough arm talent to make every throw and enough mobility to keep defenses honest. He’s not just a passer who can run-he’s a legitimate running threat who’s accounted for 18 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons.
The one area where he could sharpen things up is his completion percentage. At just over 61% in 2025, there’s some room for improvement in terms of consistency and accuracy. But with a more talented supporting cast and a system that’s been quarterback-friendly under Cignetti, there’s reason to believe Sorsby could take another step forward.
And let’s not overlook the bigger picture here: Indiana has developed quarterbacks at a high level recently. Rourke is already in the NFL, and Mendoza is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming draft. That kind of track record speaks volumes to potential transfers looking for a program that can elevate their game-and their pro prospects.
Sorsby, with his familiarity with the program and his growth at Cincinnati, checks a lot of boxes. He’s experienced, productive, and still has upside.
And for Indiana, it’s about finding the right fit to keep the momentum going. Whether that’s Sorsby or another talented transfer, the Hoosiers are in a position to be selective-and that’s a good place to be when you’re trying to keep the quarterback pipeline flowing.
So, yes, Indiana might be in the market for a quarterback. But this isn’t a rebuild-it’s a reload. And with the right addition, the Hoosiers could be right back in the Big Ten title conversation in 2026.