Indiana football is gearing up for a fresh start under center, and the buzz around their new quarterback is already electric.
When the Hoosiers kick off the 2026 season, they'll be turning to a third different starting quarterback in as many years under head coach Curt Cignetti. The quarterback carousel has been spinning fast, but the latest addition might just be the perfect fit.
Last season, Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to a breakout 2024 campaign before exhausting his eligibility and heading to the NFL Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Then came Fernando Mendoza, who stepped in and did something truly remarkable—winning the Heisman Trophy and guiding the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 national championship run. Now, the torch is being passed to former TCU signal-caller Josh Hoover, and the excitement is building.
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt is especially high on Hoover's potential in Bloomington. On a recent episode of his college football podcast, Klatt didn't hold back his praise.
"He's the perfect candidate to replace Mendoza," Klatt said. "Almost a clone of Mendoza."
That's high praise, but Klatt has the stats to back it up. He points to Indiana's heavy use of run-pass options (RPOs) with Mendoza, who ran more RPO plays than any other quarterback in college football in 2025. Right behind him? None other than Josh Hoover at TCU. The connection is clear—Hoover's skill set aligns perfectly with what made Indiana's offense so explosive.
Klatt also weighed in on a recent exchange between TCU head coach Sonny Dykes and Cignetti. Dykes had mentioned Hoover's turnover issues during a podcast appearance, but Cignetti fired back, noting that his quarterback would have the support of a productive running game and a stout defense—taking some of the pressure off Hoover to do it all himself.
And it's not just about Hoover. Klatt highlighted Indiana's other key additions from the transfer portal, including former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, Wisconsin guard Joe Brunner, Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi, and Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris. Combine those with returning standouts like wide receiver Charlie Becker and left tackle Carter Smith, and the Hoosiers look poised for another strong season.
"I don't think that Indiana is going anywhere," Klatt said. "That's going to be a really tough team to beat."
With a Heisman-winning predecessor to follow and a roster stacked with talent, all eyes will be on Hoover as he takes the reins. If Klatt's prediction holds true, Hoosier fans are in for another thrilling ride.