TCU head coach Sonny Dykes recently stirred up some chatter with his comments about former quarterback Josh Hoover. During an interview on State of the Frogs, Dykes highlighted the need for TCU to cut down on turnovers, indirectly pointing fingers at Hoover's performance in 2025.
Dykes noted, "Josh started 31 games here as a quarterback, and he turned the ball over 42 times." This stat quickly made waves on social media, especially since Hoover has since transferred to Indiana, the reigning national champions.
While Dykes' comments might seem harsh, they reflect a reality TCU faced: Hoover's turnover issues were significant. Beyond the 42 turnovers in 31 starts, Hoover also fumbled 17 times, losing eight. When considering the potential turnovers from all fumbles, Hoover's numbers climb to 51 in 31 games.
This brings us to a stat called the Whoopsy Daisy Rate (WDR), which measures interceptions and fumbles per snap. Hoover's WDR was 2.25% last season, ranking him 89th among 118 qualified quarterbacks. In contrast, Fernando Mendoza, the QB Hoover is replacing at Indiana, had a stellar WDR of 1.16%, ranking 8th.
Dykes pointed out Indiana's success last season, noting their top-ranked turnover margin and fewest penalties, as a model TCU aims to emulate. But can Indiana help Hoover clean up his game?
Interestingly, Hoover's 2024 season was better, with a WDR of 2.18%, ranking 62nd among 114 QBs. His interception rate was a career-best 2.3%, attributed to shorter throws, averaging 7.9 air yards per attempt compared to 8.4 in 2023 and 8.6 in 2025.
Surprisingly, Hoover faced pressure on only 22.1% of his dropbacks in 2025, the lowest rate of his career, yet he was sacked more often. His pressure-to-sack ratio was 5.28, ranking 88th. Despite less pressure, Hoover seemed less equipped to handle it, leading to turnovers.
In contrast, Mendoza thrived under pressure, with a WDR of 1.16% despite facing pressure on 30.1% of his dropbacks. Mendoza’s ability to remain calm and deliver under duress is a key reason he's projected as a top draft pick.
The question remains: Can Hoover develop that same poise? Indiana's system helped Mendoza improve his sack avoidance, and perhaps it can do the same for Hoover. With a change in environment and a strong team around him, Hoover has a chance to refine his game.
Ultimately, both Hoover and TCU are looking to mirror the disciplined play that brought Indiana success.