Josh Hoover has yet to take a single snap for the Indiana Hoosiers, but his value to IU is already soaring. Taking over for Heisman Trophy-winner Fernando Mendoza, Hoover has the experience, skill, and leadership to put forth a tremendous campaign in Bloomington.
Hoover comes to Indiana following three seasons at TCU. While in Forth Worth, he appeared in 36 games with 31 starts while throwing for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns. His departure from the Horned Frogs didn't come without some mild controversy, as TCU head coach Sonny Dykes took a jab at Hoover's turnovers back in the spring.
Dykes and the Horned Frogs were in action in Week 0, and the TCU offense looked completely lost without Hoover leading the way.
TCU struggles mightily in first game without Josh Hoover
TCU opened the new season with a matchup against North Carolina in Ireland. Dykes' squad failed to get much of anything going offensively, which ultimately led to a 15-10 loss for the Horned Frogs. In total, TCU managed just 281 yards of total offense and were unable to move the ball down the field on a consistent basis.
Last season with Hoover leading the way, TCU took down UNC 48-14 in the season opener. Hoover threw for 284 yards and a pair of touchdowns. What a difference a year makes.
Taking over for Hoover at QB was Jaden Craig. He previously spent three seasons at Harvard, and transferred to TCU over the offseason. In his Horned Frog debut, Craig completed 20 of his 32 pass attempts for 175 yards and didn't throw for a touchdown. He played with a conservative approach, as he averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt.
3 bold Josh Hoover predictions that could define Indiana's 2026 season
Craig and the Horned Frogs had ample opportunities to win the game with just a single scoring drive, but they were unable to do so. It was a rough first showing in the post-Hoover era at TCU, which could show just how valuable Indiana's new QB is heading into Week 1.
Josh Hoover primed for monster season at Indiana
While at TCU, Hoover was asked to do a lot. TCU's inability to play complimentary football forced Hoover's hand. Specifically, the Horned Frogs ranked 72nd in total defense and 100th in rushing offense last season. That meant that Hoover was playing from behind early and often and was forced to try to will his team back from whatever deficit they were facing. Ironically enough, TCU's defense and rushing attack looked solid against UNC, but the offense was never able to capitalize.
Now in a much better situation in Bloomington, Hoover is poised for a monster season. "When Josh got here, he met his two new best friends: Great defense and a really good run game,"Cignetti said earlier this offseason. That couldn't be more true.
Hoover threw the ball 36.2 times per game in 2024 and 34.4 times per game last season. Those numbers are not what Cignetti wants to see. Last season, Indiana's complimentary style led to Mendoza averaging just 23.7 pass attempts per game.
With a strong defense and reliable running game at his disposal, Hoover won't be asked to carry the load. Instead, he can manage the game and focus on taking care of the football. That could be a great recipe for success. There's no denying that Hoover is the key to Indiana's season outlook in 2026.
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