Fernando Mendoza replacement sealed as Indiana lands college football’s leading passer

Jan 7, 2026 - 08:15

Curt Cignetti has done it again.

After visiting Bloomington, former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover has committed to Indiana.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 29: Josh Hoover #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) — Hoover is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country

Hoover earned the starting quarterback role at TCU in 2023 and a year later set a school record with 3,949 passing yards. Last season he threw for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns.

With Fernando Mendoza expected to declare for the NFL draft, Hoover is poised to take over as Indiana’s starter next season.

Hoover first committed to Indiana under Tom Allen before ultimately signing with TCU and will head into next season as college football’s top returning passer with 9,629 career yards and ranks second in touchdown passes with 71.

He has recorded 16 career games with 300 or more passing yards, including three exceeding 400 yards.

The 21-year-old is set to enroll at Indiana this month.

Meanwhile, Cignetti is once again doing what he does best. In the last two seasons he plucked quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke and Mendoza from the transfer portal.

Both quarterbacks helped him reach the College Football Playoff, including turning Mendoza into a Heisman Trophy contender and taking the team within two wins of a national championship.

In under two years, Cignetti has built Indiana into a national powerhouse, a statement that would have once seemed laughable and unfathomable.

And he didn’t stop with acquiring Hoover.

The Hoosiers have added offensive talent to complement their new quarterback in Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh and former Boston College running back Turbo Richard.

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: QB Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers talks with Head Coach Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) — Cignetti and Mendoza have proven to be nearly unstoppable

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 29: Josh Hoover #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) — Hoover will have extremely big shoes to fill in Bloomington

Don’t think Cignetti and his staff have neglected the defensive side of the ball.

Former Kansas State standout edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi has verbally committed to Indiana. One of the top edge prospects in this year’s transfer portal, Osunsanmi recorded 47 pressures and 8.5 sacks during his career with the Wildcats.

Reload, not rebuild.

Those words are echoing around in Bloomington as the Hoosiers get ready for the biggest game in program history.

Indiana will take on Oregon in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Friday, a rematch of their massive regular-season clash.

It was a game in which Cignetti, Mendoza, and Indiana marched into Autzen Stadium in Eugene and came out with a season-defining 30-20 victory.

They’re just two wins away from bringing a national championship home to Bloomington. Again, a statement that would have seemed downright delusional just two years ago.

There are no guarantees in this sport, but it’s hard not to see Cignetti and his team in a similar position next January.

Reload.