The Indiana Hoosiers are entering a new chapter-and it’s a bold one. After riding the arm of Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza to the pinnacle of college football, Indiana now turns to a fresh face under center: Josh Hoover, the high-powered transfer from TCU.
Let’s be clear-replacing Mendoza is no small task. He was the kind of quarterback who didn’t just win games; he redefined what success looked like in Bloomington.
But head coach Curt Cignetti isn’t blinking. Known for his relentless drive and no-nonsense approach, Cignetti is doubling down on what’s worked: building an offense that empowers quarterbacks to thrive.
Enter Hoover. The former Horned Frog threw for over 3,000 yards last season and brings a deep-ball arm, pocket poise, and the kind of football IQ that makes you believe he’s just scratching the surface. Indiana didn’t just grab a replacement-they may have landed their next star.
And some analysts are already thinking bigger. CBS Sports' Cody Nagel pointed out that Hoover could be more than just the next man up-he could be the next quarterback to ride Indiana’s system all the way to the top of the NFL Draft board. That’s not a small claim, especially considering Mendoza is already being talked about as a potential No. 1 overall pick in 2026.
Nagel even drew comparisons to programs like Oklahoma, which produced back-to-back No. 1 picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. That’s elite company. And while it may sound like a stretch for Indiana to join that tier, the foundation is there-an explosive offense, a proven quarterback development track, and a coach who knows how to maximize talent.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit added fuel to the fire during a recent episode of Crain and Cone, calling Hoover a potential “sleeper” for the upcoming season. Herbstreit grouped Hoover with some of the top returning quarterbacks in the country, suggesting that he could be one of this fall’s breakout stars.
“I mentioned already that Josh Hoover could be that guy,” Herbstreit said, before also highlighting Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed as another name to watch. But it’s clear Hoover has the keys to the car in Bloomington-and the road ahead could be wide open.
Now, whether Hoover follows Mendoza’s path to Heisman glory and NFL stardom remains to be seen. But what’s certain is this: Indiana isn’t slowing down. They’ve built something real, and Hoover has a chance to keep the engine humming.
The Hoosiers believe they’ve found their guy. This fall, we’ll find out if he’s not just the next quarterback up-but the next quarterback to take Indiana to even greater heights.