BLOOMINGTON, IN – Just as Josh Hoover needed little introduction to the football program he joined out of the transfer portal, the former TCU quarterback said he feels no pressure walking in the footsteps of outgoing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Hoover — who initially committed to Indiana out of Texas high school football before flipping to the Horned Frogs — ranks among Curt Cignetti’s highest-profile additions in this year’s portal class.
His 9,629 career yards passing rank Hoover first in the nation among returning players in that category, positioning the Big 12-turned-Big Ten QB to help Indiana transition seamlessly from one transfer quarterback to another.
“Obviously, Fernando’s an unbelievable player, won the Heisman, won all the awards, they had all the team success you can have last year,” Hoover said Saturday, Jan. 31. “For me, I’m just gonna be myself. That’s why I’m here — to be myself, put my imprint on the program and try to encourage guys and bring people along. Be the best player I can be.”
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Speaking following a more than two-hour meet-and-greet session with IU fans, hosted by a Bloomington CVS, Hoover spoke admiringly at the fan support he watched coalesce around Indiana during its run to the national championship.
That support was on display Saturday, as a crowd comfortably beyond 500 fans passed through CVS, the line snaking through multiple aisles while Hoover, several of his new teammates — Tyrique Tucker, Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. — and Omar Cooper Jr., who declared for the NFL draft, also attended, signed memorabilia, posed for pictures and chatted with supporters.
A small handful of those fans even split their attire between Indiana and TCU gear, a nod to Hoover’s success across three-plus seasons in Fort Worth.
“The fans are awesome. Great people. Love football, love the Hoosiers, for sure, and it’s super cool as a player to have that support,” Hoover said. “How much the fans love football, love this program, love this city and love this state, it’s been super cool.”
A starter across most of the past three seasons at TCU, Hoover has been among the nation’s most-productive passers in a system not dissimilar to the one he’ll now captain in Bloomington.
Just in the past two years, Hoover attempted 884 passes, throwing for more than 7,400 yards, with 56 total touchdowns.
He showed a consistent ability to push the ball down the field vertically, something Indiana will want to maintain following Mendoza’s outstanding 2025 season. And Hoover spoke with confidence about his strength in run-pass option calls, another staple of coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offense.
“It’s something I’ve done for the last eight years of my life (going back to high school),” Hoover said. “The offenses I’ve played in have all been heavy RPO offenses, and so I feel like I’ve got a really good feel for that. I’m excited to bring my skillset in that area to this program, this offense.
“I think it’s going to translate well. We can distribute the ball, get easy touches for these receivers, who do well with the ball in their hands. That’s always a big part of offense: getting positive plays, stealing yards, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do.”
IU’s lengthy playoff run — coupled to the attendant time off for players following its conclusion — likely moves the spring calendar back. Cignetti is also in the process of onboarding new strength coach Tyson Brown, further affecting the offseason calendar.
With spring practice still relatively far into the future, Hoover’s focus right now is building his rapport with his teammates and furthering his own comfort in his new offense.
As his career comes full circle, from IU commit under one staff to QB1 under another, the Texas native said transferring north to Bloomington for his final year of college football was an easy decision.
“It’s a special place to be right now,” Hoover said. “I’m definitely excited to be here. It’s the place I wanted to go, and it feels good to be back.”
Indiana football transfer portal commitments, exits
IN
OL Joe Brunner (Wisconsin)
DE Josh Burnham (Notre Dame)
LS Drew Clausen (Iowa State)
P Billy Gowers (Hawaii)
DB A.J. Harris (Penn State)
DT Joe Hjelle (Tulsa)
QB Josh Hoover (TCU)
WR Nick Marsh (Michigan State)
K Paddy McAteer (Troy)
EDGE Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State)
RB Turbo Richard (Boston College)
EDGE Chiddi Obiazor (Kansas State)
WR Shazz Preston (Tulane)
CB Jiquan Sanks (Cincinnati)
TE Brock Schott (Miami)
CB Carson Williams (Montana State)
S Preston Zachman (Wisconsin)
OUT
S Jah Jah Boyd (Colorado)
EDGE Aden Cannon
WR Ace Ciongoli (Florida)
EDGE Andrew DePaepe (UMass)
EDGE William DePaepe (UMass)
CB Dontrae Henderson
WR Makai Jackson (Liberty)
CB Amariyun Knighten
OL Evan Lawrence (San Diego State)
QB Alberto Mendoza (Georgia Tech)
DL J’mari Monette
OL Mitch Verstegen
EDGE Finn Walters
DL Hosea Wheeler (Baylor)