After winning the national championship, Indiana’s attention now turns to the transfer portal with hopes of a repeat title run. With many players exhausting eligibility or declaring for the NFL draft, multiple areas of need quickly opened up overnight. Which positions should they prioritize?
Running Back
Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Solomon Vanhorse leave Bloomington with a championship, 2,209 yards, and 17 touchdowns. While many assume Fernando Mendoza powered the offense, the run game actually drove success.
Roman Hemby after winning the National Championship:
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.” pic.twitter.com/VuBl95lCF4
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) January 20, 2026
In the title game, the Hoosiers favored steady four-yard gains and clock control. That approach wore defenses down, regardless of athleticism. Miami entered the game with the No. 5 defense in FBS, according to PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact Metrics.
Defensive Tackle
In the Big Ten, opponents test the middle of the defense. Tyrique Tucker and Hosea Wheeler may not fill stat sheets, but anchoring the interior is essential. Winning inside helps unleash edge rushers and collapse the pocket.
Plus, it forces lateral quarterback movement. Indiana’s defense is appealing to tackles, who benefit from cleaning up effort sacks created by edge pressure. Moreover, teams like Oregon, Michigan, and especially Ohio State will test the middle of the line, almost daring the Hoosiers to stop them.
Interior Offensive Line
Pat Coogan, a Notre Dame transfer, energized Indiana with tenacity and technique, powering wins against more talented teams. Success relied on effort, not measurables. With TCU transfer Josh Hoover in at quarterback, prioritizing the interior line is essential for next season.
According to SportSource Analytics, Indiana’s average time of possession was 33:29, meaning they love the time-consuming drives. To accomplish that, they need the guards and center to win the majority of the snaps, especially in the run game.
Linebacker
Aiden Fisher’s role is quietly understated. He’s not the pass rusher Stephen Daley is, nor does he make the splash plays D’Angelo Ponds does in the secondary. Still, Fisher’s graduation will hurt in many ways. As Indiana’s best cover linebacker, they relied on him to cover backs, tight ends, and the occasional wideout on in-breaking routes.
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Indiana often kept multiple linebackers on the field in passing situations rather than adding defensive backs. Fisher’s versatility made that possible. Now, whoever replaces him needs to operate in a similar manner to keep that aspect of their defense running effectively.
24/7 Sports reports Indiana already has 17 new players on campus. College football is now a nonstop 12-month cycle. Roster turnovers and NIL changes keep the pace relentless. As national champions, Indiana is now the team everyone aims to dethrone.
