In just two seasons, Curt Cignetti has turned the Indiana football program from an afterthought to a national powerhouse. Cignetti is 27-2 in Bloomington, and led IU to a historic National Championship last season.
Indiana's success under Cignetti's leadership is due in large part to his effective approach to the transfer portal. In today's era of college football, every program out there uses the portal to construct their rosters. But nobody has mastered that craft quite like Cignetti.
Here is a look at Cignetti's biggest transfer portal wins during his time at the helm of the Hoosier football program -- so far.
Fernando Mendoza
The most obvious selection for this list is Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza. It goes without saying that Indiana doesn't go 16-0 and win the National Championship without Cignetti going out and getting Mendoza from Cal in the portal.
Mendoza has etched his name into the history books, and is a legend in the eyes of Hoosier football fans everywhere. He became Indiana's first-ever Heisman Trophy winner and IU's first No. 1 overall draft pick since Corby Davis in 1938. Mendoza's legacy is firmly cemented in Bloomington, and he will forever be known as Cignetti's signature portal signing.
D'Angelo Ponds
When coaches take a new job, it is common for them to bring their top players with them. That's exactly what Cignetti did with cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. Ponds followed Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, and emerged into one of the best cornerbacks in the country during his time in Bloomington.
Indiana Football's 5 biggest wins on the recruiting trail over the past decade
Ponds earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors in both of his seasons with the Hoosiers, and was a First-Team All-American in 2025. The Hollywood, FL native also provided one of the most electric moments of the season with his pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage against Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Ponds is now off to the NFL after being selected in the second round with the 60th overall pick by the Jets.
Elijah Sarratt
Another player who followed Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana was WR Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt became Indiana's most reliable receiving threat over his two seasons with the Cream and Crimson. In 2024, Sarratt led the Hoosiers in catches (53), receiving yards (597), and receiving touchdowns (8).
He followed that campaign up by racking up 65 catches for 830 yards to go along with an NCAA-leading 15 receiving touchdowns this past season. His steady contributions in the passing game played a leading role in Indiana's success over the last two seasons.
Pat Coogan
Center isn't the flashiest position out there, but when you have one as good as Pat Coogan, it makes a major difference. Cignetti was able to lure Coogan away from Notre Dame and bring him to Indiana for his senior season in 2025. The move paid off in the best way possible for Coogan. He started all 16 games at center and earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. He also played an integral role in keeping Mendoza upright during his Heisman Trophy season.
Coogan made history in Indiana's emphatic 38-2 win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, as he became the first offensive lineman to win Offensive MVP honors at the Rose Bowl Game since USC's Norm Verry in 1944. Following Indiana's National Championship, Coogan was drafted by the Titans in the 6th round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Roman Hemby
Roman Hemby put together a solid collegaite career at Maryland from 2021-24. For his final season of eligibility, Hemby transferred to Indiana and was the bellcow of IU's backfield last season. He paced the Hoosiers with 230 carries for 1,120 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.
Hemby's skill set worked perfectly in Mike Shanahan's RPO-heavy style, and his rushing ability brought great balance to the Hoosier offense. Hemby was a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection, and after going undrafted in April, signed a free agent contract with the Raiders.
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