Indiana's head coach Curt Cignetti is bringing a touch of optimism to the Hoosiers' offseason, particularly when it comes to their new quarterback, Josh Hoover. Hoover, who made the move from TCU to the reigning national champions, is stepping into some big shoes, replacing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Hoover's past at TCU was a mixed bag. With 31 career starts, he turned the ball over 42 times, a stat that TCU's coach Sonny Dykes didn't shy away from mentioning.
But Cignetti, known for his team's exceptional ball security, is confident that Hoover can turn the page. Indiana's program has been a model of efficiency, committing just 17 turnovers over the last two seasons - the best in the nation.
Cignetti shared his thoughts at a recent press conference, expressing excitement about Hoover's potential. "Josh has a track record of winning games and racking up passing yards and touchdowns," Cignetti noted.
"We need to address the turnovers, but he's got a great defense and a solid run game here. That's a game-changer."
Hoover's transition from TCU, where the defense struggled to rank above 62nd nationally, to Indiana, boasting a top-six scoring defense, is significant. TCU's rushing game also lagged behind, ranking 97th and 103rd nationally over the past two seasons, while Indiana showed marked improvement, jumping to 19th in the nation.
Dykes, reflecting on the changes at TCU, highlighted the importance of reducing turnovers, pointing to the success of new offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis at UConn, where turnovers were minimal. "Josh had 31 starts with 42 turnovers.
That's a number we need to change," Dykes commented. "We want to emulate teams like Indiana, who led the nation in turnover margin."
Hoover's time at TCU included nine games with multiple interceptions over the last two seasons, with a particularly tough stretch in November. In response to Hoover's departure, TCU brought in Harvard transfer Jaden Craig to bolster their quarterback lineup.
As Hoover settles into Indiana, he's already making waves, ranking fifth in The Athletic's top 20 transfer quarterbacks for 2026. Meanwhile, Craig is keeping the competition heated, coming in at 12th. The stage is set for an exciting season, with Hoover aiming to harness Indiana's strengths and elevate his game to new heights.