It has been an incredible two years for the Indiana Hoosiers.
After finishing 11-2 and reaching the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers faced questions about how they would follow up that success after quarterback Kurtis Rourke left. Building on that, the Hoosiers acquired former California QB Fernando Mendoza, who took home the Heisman Trophy and led the team to a perfect season (so far), including a Big Ten title and a 38-3 second round playoff victory over Alabama.
With Mendoza’s success, Indiana now faces the challenge of replicating that achievement. It appears they may have struck gold again, as reports indicate they have locked down former TCU QB Josh Hoover.
Cignetti, Indiana Haul in Former TCU QB Josh Hoover
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Hoover has committed to Indiana.
NEWS: Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover has committed to Indiana, per ESPN sources. He visited over the weekend and projects as the starting quarterback in 2026 if Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza goes to the NFL Draft, as expected. pic.twitter.com/VCOZuoQ64O
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2026
According to Thamel, Hoover “visited over the weekend and projects as the starting quarterback in 2026 if Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza goes to the NFL Draft, as expected.”
Mendoza is projected by many to be the top pick in the draft.
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In winning the Heisman, Mendoza completed 240-of-332 passes for 3,172 yards with 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also rushed for 256 yards and six more touchdowns. Mendoza’s PFSN CFB QB Impact score was 93.3, earning him an A grade. That was the second-best mark in the country.
Rourke was also a transfer. He spent five years at Ohio before joining Indiana in 2024. In his lone season in Bloomington, he completed 223-of-320 passes (69.4%) and had 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns and five picks. He also ran for two touchdowns.
Given how productive their last two signal-callers have been, the expectations for Hoover will naturally be high.
Hoover, listed at 6’2 and 200 lbs, looks ready for the job. He became a starter in 2023 and completed 185-of-298 passes (62.1%) for 2,206 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. This season, he was 272-of-413 (65.9%) for 3,472 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 picks.
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Over his career, Hoover is 771-of-1,183 (65.2%) for 9,629 yards. He has 71 touchdown passes, eight touchdown runs, and 33 interceptions. Hoover had an 86.0 PFSN CFB QB Impact score. That grade is a B and was the 21st-best in the nation in 2025.
“Hoover will enter next season as the leading passer in college football with 9,629 yards and second in touchdowns with 71,” writes Thamel. “He’ll be Curt Cignetti’s third transfer quarterback after Kurtis Rourke and Mendoza. Hoover will enroll in January.”
However, while the interceptions stand out as a concern — especially since limited turnovers have been a key part of Indiana’s recent success — Hoover’s trajectory remains promising. His continued improvement and impressive stats make him an extremely intriguing prospect.
So far, doubting Cignetti, especially regarding quarterbacks, has proven unwise.
