College Football HQ

Indiana battles SEC programs for $2.1 million star QB to replace Fernando Mendoza

The latest college football rumors reveal Indiana is in an intense battle to land a new star quarterback in the transfer portal.
Jonathan Adams|
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to snap the play Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to snap the play Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Indiana HoosiersTCU Horned Frogs

Indiana is focused on the College Football Playoff, but head coach Curt Cignetti also has his eye on the program's next potential quarterback. The Hoosiers appear to be in a battle to land one of the top quarterbacks in the college football transfer portal.

Fernando Mendoza has had a historic year leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated regular season, which was capped off with a Big Ten title. Mendoza's play earned the Indiana quarterback the Heisman Trophy.

Now, Indiana is targeting a Big 12 signal-caller with Mendoza being touted as a potential top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. On3's Pete Nakos reported that Indiana has an interest in TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. Two SEC programs, Tennessee and Missouri, are also teams linked to Hoover.

"The early school to watch in this one is Indiana, depending on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s NFL draft decision," Nakos wrote on Saturday. "Josh Hoover was a former Indiana commit before he landed at TCU. Other schools that sources have mentioned include Missouri and Tennessee."

TCU QB Josh Hoover is projected to have an NIL value of $2.1 million

For Indiana to land Hoover, the program will likely need to pay a premium. On3 projects Hoover's NIL value to be $2.1 million.

Hoover threw for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 65.9% of his passes in 12 appearances for TCU during the 2025 season. Now, Hoover is looking for a new home when the transfer portal window officially opens on Jan. 2.

Iowa State's Rocco Becht, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Missouri's Beau Pribula are among the top QBs expected to enter the college football transfer portal

Indiana will have multiple transfer portal options if Mendoza enters the NFL draft. There is already a growing list of top quarterbacks expected to enter the transfer portal.

In addition to Hoover, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, Missouri's Beau Pribula and Iowa State's Rocco Becht are among the notable quarterbacks expected to enter the portal. Indiana is already likely paying a premium for Mendoza who has a projected NIL value of $2.6 million, per On3.

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Jonathan Adams
JONATHAN ADAMS

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports writer who has written for notable outlets and interviewed some of the top athletes for more than 10 years. Since 2015, his sports coverage has been read by tens of millions and has been prominently featured on Heavy, NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and more. Jonathan is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and a voter for the Maxwell Award and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. He has interviewed many of the biggest stars in sports — Bryce Harper, Jayden Daniels, Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson and Micah Parsons to name a few — and has traveled the country to cover the College Football Playoff, NFL draft, Masters, March Madness, Senior Bowl, McDonald’s All-American Game and beyond. Jonathan Adams studied at the University of Central Florida and The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. He holds master degrees in sport business management, business administration and theology & culture.

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