Indiana football may be looking to reload at the quarterback position heading into 2026 - and after the past two seasons, the bar is set sky-high.
Under head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have turned quarterback play into a serious strength. First, it was Kurtis Rourke orchestrating an 11-2 campaign in 2024.
Then came Fernando Mendoza, who didn’t just follow that act - he raised it. Mendoza delivered a season for the ages in 2025, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a Big Ten Championship.
That’s not just success at the position - that’s a blueprint for national relevance.
So where does Indiana go from here?
There are a few in-house options. Alberto Mendoza - yes, Fernando’s younger brother - is waiting in the wings.
Tyler Cherry is returning from injury and could be in the mix as well. But with the transfer portal wide open, the Hoosiers are expected to explore external options to keep the momentum rolling.
And there are some intriguing names to watch.
Potential Transfer Targets for Indiana at Quarterback
Josh Hoover - TCU
Dylan Raiola - Nebraska
Beau Pribula - Missouri
Drew Mestemaker - North Texas
Let’s take a closer look at one name that’s starting to generate real buzz: Drew Mestemaker.
Drew Mestemaker: A Hidden Gem with Big-Time Production
You’d be forgiven if you didn’t hear much about Drew Mestemaker coming out of high school. The Austin, Texas native flew under the radar in the 2024 recruiting cycle, eventually landing at North Texas under head coach Eric Morris. But after a redshirt year, Mestemaker made his presence felt in a big way during the 2025 season.
Here’s what he did as a first-year starter:
- 4,129 passing yards
- 31 touchdowns
- 7 interceptions
- 70.2% completion rate
That’s not just solid - that’s elite-level production, regardless of conference. Mestemaker didn’t just put up numbers; he led the Mean Green to an 11-1 regular season and a spot in the American Conference Championship Game, where they ultimately fell to Tulane.
Yes, the American isn’t the Big Ten. But let’s not forget: Kurtis Rourke came from the MAC and thrived in Bloomington.
Indiana has shown it values proven production over recruiting stars, and Mestemaker fits that mold perfectly. He’s accurate, poised, and efficient - the kind of quarterback who can step into a system and keep the offense humming.
The question isn’t whether he can play. It’s where he’ll choose to play next.
There’s a strong connection to keep an eye on - Eric Morris, the coach who discovered and developed Mestemaker, has since taken the head coaching job at Oklahoma State. That kind of relationship can carry weight in the portal era. It wouldn’t be surprising if Stillwater is high on Mestemaker’s list.
But if Indiana can make a compelling case - one that includes a proven quarterback-friendly system, a winning culture, and a chance to compete for another Big Ten title - they could be right in the thick of the race.
What’s Next for Indiana?
With the quarterback room in flux and the transfer portal full of possibilities, Indiana’s next move at the position will be one of the most pivotal decisions of the offseason. Whether they roll with a promising internal option or bring in another experienced arm, the standard has been set: Big Ten titles and Heisman-level play.
And if the Hoosiers can find the right fit - whether it’s a name like Mestemaker or another under-the-radar star - there’s every reason to believe they can keep the momentum going.