TCU QB Josh Hoover Enters Transfer Portal After Record-Breaking Season
Josh Hoover is on the move.
The TCU quarterback, who just wrapped up a record-setting 2024 campaign, announced Thursday that he plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2. Hoover has one year of eligibility remaining and figures to be one of the most sought-after signal-callers in a quarterback-heavy portal class.
Hoover’s résumé speaks for itself. Over his career, he’s thrown for more than 9,600 yards and 71 touchdowns, and his 3,949 passing yards this season set a new single-season record at TCU. After three years as the Horned Frogs’ starter, Hoover leaves Fort Worth with a legacy of production, poise, and leadership.
In a heartfelt message, Hoover thanked the university, the coaching staff, and his teammates, calling his four years at TCU “a dream.” He credited head coach Sonny Dykes for giving him the opportunity to play and graduate, and offered appreciation to former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and the staff for pushing him to grow both on and off the field.
TCU entered 2025 with aspirations of contending for a Big 12 title, but an up-and-down season saw them finish 5-4 in conference play and 8-4 overall. Hoover won’t suit up for the Alamo Bowl, closing the book on his Horned Frogs career before the team’s final game of the season.
A year ago, Hoover was the subject of serious interest from Tennessee, which was searching for a replacement for Nico Iamaleava. TCU managed to keep him in Fort Worth by increasing his compensation, which reportedly reached around $2 million for the 2025 season. But with coaching changes and a crowded quarterback room ahead, Hoover is now ready for a new chapter.
The Horned Frogs recently made a change at offensive coordinator, as Briles departed for South Carolina and was replaced by former UConn OC Gordon Sammis. While Briles’ move might have influenced Hoover’s decision, a reunion in Columbia seems unlikely. South Carolina is expected to return LaNorris Sellers as its starter, leaving little room for Hoover to step in.
So where could Hoover land?
This year’s quarterback transfer market is stacked, with names like DJ Lagway (Florida), Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Beau Pribula (Missouri), and Drew Mestemaker (North Texas) either in the portal or expected to enter. Even in that crowded field, Hoover’s production and experience make him a premium target.
He finished sixth in the nation in passing yards in 2025 (3,472) and accounted for 30 total touchdowns, tied for 20th-most in the FBS. That kind of output, combined with three years of starting experience and a strong arm, gives him a compelling case as one of the top quarterbacks available.
One potential landing spot to watch: Indiana.
The Hoosiers are preparing for life after Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who is widely expected to enter the NFL Draft. Hoover could be a natural fit in Bloomington, not just because of the opening, but because of his history with the program.
Indiana recruited Hoover out of high school, and he originally committed to the Hoosiers in the summer of 2021 when Tom Allen was still the head coach. He stayed committed for over five months before flipping to TCU shortly before the early signing period.
Now, with Indiana looking for a proven veteran to step in and lead the offense, Hoover could circle back to where it all almost began. And if he lands in the right system, he has a real shot at boosting his NFL Draft stock-just like Mendoza did after transferring from Cal.
With a strong season and another year of eligibility, Hoover could see his market value climb even higher. A seven-figure deal isn’t out of the question, especially given what he was already earning at TCU. In a quarterback market that’s deeper than ever, Hoover is still one of the names to watch.