Rival DC Casts Doubt on Josh Hoover Replacing Fernando Mendoza for Champion Curt Cignetti, Indiana

Josh Hoover has huge shoes to fill in Indiana as he replaces Heisman Trophy-winner Fernando Mendoza, now the face of the Las Vegas Raiders.

There are certainly questions regarding how Hoover will fare in that daunting task.

"It's going to be a step down. He's not going to be Mendoza," a Big 12 defensive coordinator told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "I wasn't a hater of his, but I thought he was a pretty average to slightly above-average guy. I don't think he's going to go there and win the Heisman."

Hoover spent his first four college seasons at TCU and was a starter for parts of three campaigns, throwing for 9,629 yards, 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions while completing 65.2 percent of his passes. The Horned Frogs went 9-4 in each of the past two seasons but didn't reach the College Football Playoff with Hoover as the starter.

"I like him, I don't love him, but I think he's good," a Big Ten coach noted.

Just how good may define Indiana's 2026 season as it looks to defend its national championship.