Curt Cignetti assesses Josh Hoover with a surprising Fernando Mendoza comparison

Being the quarterback to follow Fernando Mendoza is not an easy task. The Hoosier QB led the Indiana football program to its greatest season in program history, and was recently selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. He also became Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner.

Fernando Mendoza's No. 1 overall selection is historic in more ways than one

Through the transfer portal, Curt Cignetti had one guy in mind to follow Mendoza, and he got him. Cignetti quickly landed TCU gunslinger Josh Hoover in January, and he comes to Bloomington with 9,629 yards and 79 total touchdowns in his collegiate career, giving him the most production out of any returning QB in the country heading into 2026.

Cignetti is already comparing Hoover to Mendoza, but not in the way you would think.

Curt Cignetti shares interesting Josh Hoover comparison to Fernando Mendoza

Prior to Indiana's spring game on Thursday, Cignetti spoke with Anthony Calhoun of WRTV and was asked about the progress Hoover has made so far in Bloomington. It's clear that Cignetti has plenty of confidence in his new quarterback, but he also emphasized how early in the process he is.

"Well it's early, I mean you know all these quarterbacks that we've had, they have good days and bad days in the spring. And I'd say Josh is right where Fernando [Mendoza] was last year and Kurtis [Rourke] the year before. He knows how to play quarterback, he's thrown for a lot of yards and touchdown passes. He's a quick-thinker, nice touch, accurate with the ball, so I like where he's at."

Curt Cignetti

Cignetti isn't saying Hoover is the next Fernando Mendoza (although that would a Hoosier fans dream), but he's saying he's right where he needs to be at this point in the spring. Development is still needed as Hoover continues to get familiar with the Indiana program and the offense Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan want to run.

Cignetti has made a habit of bringing in experienced quarterback through the portal, and Hoover fits that mold perfectly. In Year 1, Cignetti brought in Kurtis Rourke from Ohio. He then brought in Mendoza from Cal in Year 2. Hoover is his guy for Year 3, and the former Horned Frog has appeared in 36 collegiate games with 31 starts. This past season, he finished 2nd in the Big 12 in completion percentage (65.9%), 2nd in passing yards (3,472), 2nd in touchdowns (29), and 3rd in completions (272).

After a perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a national title, Cignetti has Indiana well-positioned to have plenty of staying power in 2026. There is still work to be done, but Cignetti's confidence in Hoover is great to see.

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