After a historic National Championship-winning season last year, Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers have plenty of staying power in 2026. Cignetti has shown he can produce a title winning team without needing a roster full of blue chip recruits, as his effective use of the transfer portal focuses on finding the right players as opposed to the best players.
Cignetti's approach hasn't been flashy, but it's delivered. After losing a talented graduating class full of strong contributors from last year's team, Cignetti has been busy constructing Indiana's roster for next season. Once again, he's heavily utilized the portal.
Indiana's 2026 transfer portal class consists of 17 players, and is currently ranked as the No. 9 portal class in the country according to 247Sports. The majority of those 17 additions figure to take on significant roles next season, but there are three players who stand out from the pack.
QB Josh Hoover
Cignetti wasted little time finding his replacement for Fernando Mendoza this offseason. Shortly after the portal opened up, Cignetti landed a commitment from TCU QB Josh Hoover. The 6'2" 200-pound gunslinger comes to Bloomington after spending four seasons with the Horned Frogs, and is ranked as the No. 22 overall player and No. 6 quarterback in the portal in On3's list of College Football's Top Transfer Portal Players.
Hoover has racked up plenty of experience in his college football career, as he has appeared in 36 collegiate games and started 32 consecutive games from 2023-25. He has amassed 9,629 yards and 79 total touchdowns in his career, which gives him the most production out of any returning QB in the country heading into 2026.
As Joel Klatt pointed out earlier this month, Hoover is the ideal candidate to follow Mendoza. Last year, Mendoza threw more RPOs than anybody in college football. The next player on that list was Josh Hoover. Hoover is familiar with the scheme Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan want to run, and has the skill set to make all the necessary throws. The Hoover hype is real heading into the 2026 campaign.
WR Nick Marsh
Hoover has drawn plenty of attention in Indiana's portal class, but the highest-ranked player in Cignetti's portal haul comes in the form of former Michigan State WR Nick Marsh. The 6'3" 203-pound wideout is ranked as the No. 17 overall player and No. 2 wide receiver in the portal by On3. With Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. off to the NFL, Marsh figures to take on a leading role in IU's passing attack along with Charlie Becker.
Marsh comes to Bloomington after two seasons in East Lansing, and has two years of eligibility remaining. He was Michigan State's most reliable receiving target last season, as he led the Spartans in catches (59), receiving yards (662), and receiving touchdowns (6). Marsh is projected as a first round draft pick in some early mock drafts for the 2027 NFL Draft, and his potential is off the charts. Hoosier fans are eager to see what the Hoover/Marsh connection can do in 2026.
IOL Joe Brunner
With Cignetti bringing in a QB/WR combo featuring Hoover and Marsh, shoring up the offensive line through the portal was also a top priority this offseason. The addition of veteran IOL Joe Brunner from Wisconsin brings in much-needed reinforcements to the Hoosiers offensive line for the 2026 season. The 6'5" 318-pound lineman was one of the most sought-after linemen in the country, and is ranked as the No. 75 overall player and the No. 2 IOL on the market according to On3.
Brunner spent four seasons with the Badgers and has 39 career games under his belt. He started the past two seasons at left guard, and emerged into one of the best pass-blockers in all of college football. In more than 1,500 career snaps at left guard, Brunner has allowed just three quarterback hits and has not surrendered a single sack. It doesn't get much better than that. As Indiana's new-look passing attack takes shape, having Brunner protecting Hoover up front will be a major key for the Hoosiers next season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google