TCU is heading into the 2026 college football season with a new quarterback, and the national conversation around the position already says a lot about both the incoming starter and the one who just left.
Jaden Craig, who transferred from Harvard after a season that produced 2,869 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions, is set to take over for Josh Hoover. Hoover has moved on to defending national champion Indiana, while Craig arrives in Fort Worth with plenty of intrigue of his own.
The Athletic released its ranking of all 138 projected FBS starting quarterbacks on Monday, sorting them into seven tiers. Craig landed at No. 38 overall, which put him in tier 4. The outlet described that group as:
“Some of the stars of tomorrow, like inexperienced QBs who coaches believe in but lack a proven resume, and there are also veterans who are looking to redeem themselves and journeymen looking to make the most of their last stops.”
Craig’s profile fits that bucket neatly. The Athletic called him “one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the Big 12,” noting that the two-time first-team All-Ivy Leaguer had draftable grades from NFL scouts and weighed going pro before choosing to move up to the Power 4. The outlet also pointed to his size, arm and smart play, along with his career production of 52 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, as reasons he drew so much attention in the transfer portal.
Among Big 12 quarterbacks, Craig checked in eighth. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, who transferred from North Texas, was the highest-ranked league quarterback at No. 6 overall and in the top tier.
Hoover, meanwhile, came in at No. 12 overall and was placed in tier 2. The Athletic’s evaluation came with a reminder of the ball-security issues that followed him out of Fort Worth. As the story noted, Sonny Dykes pointed out this offseason that Hoover “has a problem protecting the ball - he committed more than 40 turnovers in the past three seasons.”
Indiana is expected to simplify things for him, and one Big 12 head coach told The Athletic, “I think (Indiana will) do better with him because I think he made his mistakes when there really wasn’t much to do with the ball,” adding, “Indiana’s staff is very good.”
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