Indiana: Fernando Mendoza's Successor Draws Harsh Take From Coaches

Indiana's new starting quarterback, Josh Hoover, is facing criticism from coaches regarding his passing skills compared to his predecessor, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza, who was named the Heisman Trophy winner during his first two seasons at California, transferred to Indiana and had a breakout year, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions while leading the team to their first-ever national championship. Mendoza was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hoover, a transfer from TCU, broke the Horned Frogs single-season passing record in 2024 with 3,949 yards. However, concerns have been raised about his ball security, as he has thrown 33 interceptions in his college career, including 13 for TCU in 2025. One Big 12 defensive coordinator stated that Hoover will be a step down from Mendoza, emphasizing that he is not expecting Hoover to win the Heisman Trophy.

Another Big Ten coach also expressed doubts about Hoover's skillset, suggesting that he will likely not achieve the same level of success as Mendoza, who had a Cinderella season at Indiana.

Despite these concerns, history may be on Hoover's side. Kurtis Rourke, a TCU transfer who went on to lead Indiana to a CFP appearance in 2024, had a successful year at Ohio State in 2023, throwing for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions before transferring. Indiana's head coach, Curt Cignetti, is known for his ability to develop players, and he is expected to help Hoover reach his full potential.