Projecting Who's Staying and Who's Leaving from Indiana After CFP Title Win

The best season in Indiana football history has ended with the Hoosiers defeating Miami in the College Football National Championship Game.

History, officially has been made.

In the most remarkable two-year turnaround the sport has seen, IU has ascended from a Big Ten afterthought to a national champion. Curt Cignetti, the architect, has turned the Hoosiers into an incredible story.

After setting the IU record for single-season wins (11) last year, the Hoosiers did it again. They rolled to a 16-0 mark, won a Big Ten title, earned the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll for the first time ever and secured the program's first crown.

Thanks to Cignetti, Indiana is rewriting its history. As the offseason begins, the narrative around IU will be one of a rising power.

Who's Staying

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Charlie Becker

Head Coach Curt Cignetti

Normally, this space is devoted to key players. But in Indiana's case, the most important person returning in 2026 is the architect of this budding team. In two short years, Cignetti has worked a miracle at the "basketball school" and elevated the football program like no previous coach.

Rising RB/WR Combo

We'll cover key departures in a moment—and there are plenty. Still, the Hoosiers have a not-so-sneaky duo ready to command larger spotlights in 2026. Khobie Martin scampered for 500-plus yards as IU's third running back, and Charlie Becker surpassed 600 receiving yards thanks to a late-season explosion. They should be key pieces of a revamped offense.

Complementary Defenders

Pending some NFL draft decisions, the Hoosiers may also be reloading on defense. However, the front seven in particular will return D-tackle Mario Landino, edge/STUD Daniel Ndukwe and linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones.

Who's Leaving

Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Fernando Mendoza

Heisman Trophy QB Fernando Mendoza

In what should be his lone season at IU, Fernando Mendoza took the Hoosiers to new heights. He threw for more than 3,000 yards, diligently used his mobility and brought home the program's first Heisman Trophy. Mendoza is a contender for being selected first in the 2026 NFL draft.

So Much Offense

The group of seniors includes lead running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams Jr., tight end Riley Nowakowski, center Pat Coogan, right tackles Kahlil Benson and Zen Michalski and a few others. There's also a possibility that wideout Omar Cooper Jr. and left tackle Carter Smith take the professional route, too.

And A Lot of Defense

Edge-rushers Stephen Daley, Mikail Kamara and Kellan Wyatt have used up their eligibility, along with D-tackles Hosea Wheeler and Dominique Ratlff, star linebacker Aiden Fisher, nickelback Devan Boykin and safety Louis Moore. While cornerback D'Angelo Ponds will likely turn pro, there may be NFL conversations for tackle Tyrique Tucker and safety Amare Ferrell, as well.

Who's on the Way

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Plenty of Transfers

The essential ingredient in Cignetti's rapid success has been elite evaluation in the portal. On the 2025 roster, about 20 key contributors transferred to IU after Cignetti and his staff arrived. Top commits are running back Turbo Richard (Boston College) and wide receiver Nick Marsh (Michigan State), edge-rushers Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State) and safety Jiquan Sanks (Cincinnati).

The Next QB

Oh, and this guy! Josh Hoover, who threw for nearly 10,000 yards with 79 total touchdowns in three seasons as TCU's starter, is coming to Bloomington. The veteran QB had been committed to Indiana as a high school recruit in the 2022 class before a late flip to TCU.

Top-35 Recruiting Class

Relative to established powers, a top-35 ranking is not significant. For the Hoosiers, though, it's a major step in the right direction. The incoming group features seven 4-star prospects, led by defensive lineman Gabriel Hill (219th), linebacker Henry Ohlinger (296th) and D-lineman Kevontay Hugan (327th).