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By Jordan Sigler
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There were questions about Fernando Mendoza's acumen when he transferred to Indiana before the 2025 season.
Mendoza threw for 4,712 yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his first two seasons at California. In Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti's system, Mendoza flourished, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions while winning the Heisman Trophy and leading IU to its first-ever national championship.
Mendoza left the Hoosiers to become the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He wasn't even thought to be a clear Day 1 pick at this time last year.
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TCU transfer Josh Hoover is set to start at quarterback for Indiana this year. He broke the Horned Frogs single-season passing record in 2024 with 3,949 yards. One question about Hoover is his ball security skills. He's thrown 71 touchdowns in his college career but has 33 interceptions, including 13 for TCU in 2025.
A Big 12 defensive coordinator told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg that Hoover will be a "step down" from Mendoza.
"It's going to be a step down," the coach said. "He's not going to be (Fernando) Mendoza. I wasn't a hater of his, but I thought he was a pretty average to slightly above-average guy. I don't think he's going to go there and win the Heisman."
Another Big Ten coach told Rittenberg Hoover is good, but he didn't love his skillset.
There are reasons to think Hoover will succeed at Indiana. History is on his side.
In addition to Mendoza having a Cinderella season, Kurtis Rourke threw 11 touchdowns and five interceptions at Ohio in 2023 before transferring to IU in 2024 and throwing for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions while leading the program to a CFP appearance.
Cignetti is one of the best coaches in the country, and he should be able to get Hoover to play at a higher level than he did at TCU.
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