Report: Indiana grabs Hoover from portal to succeed Mendoza

TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover is committing to Indiana, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Hoover should start for the Hoosiers next season if reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza declares for the NFL draft.

The 21-year-old Hoover will head to Bloomington as college football's leading active passer with 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns. Hoover helped the Horned Frogs to a 9-4 mark in 2025, averaging 289.3 passing yards per game and accounting for 31 total scores.

Mendoza is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft after transferring to Indiana from Cal and leading the Hoosiers to a 14-0 record.

The Hoosiers will play Oregon on Jan. 9 in the Peach Bowl in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff.

Hoover is the latest transfer quarterback to commit to Indiana during head coach Curt Cignetti's tenure. Kurtis Rourke joined the program in 2024 and was followed by Mendoza this season.