Joel Klatt compares new Indiana QB Josh Hoover to Fernando Mendoza

TL;DR

Indiana football will start Josh Hoover as its quarterback for the 2026 season, following Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. Analyst Joel Klatt has drawn comparisons between Hoover and Mendoza.

Key points

Indiana football will have its third different starting quarterback in three seasons
Kurtis Rourke entered the NFL Draft after a breakout 2024 season
Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national championship
Josh Hoover is the new starting quarterback for the 2026 season
Joel Klatt is optimistic about Hoover's potential

Mentioned in this story

San Francisco 49ers

Indiana HoosiersJosh HooverFernando MendozaKurtis Rourke

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 6: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers speaks with Fox Sports's Joel Klatt after the 2025 Big Ten Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Indiana football will open the 2026 season with its third different starting quarterback in as many seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti.

Kurtis Rourke ran out of eligibility following the Hoosiers’ breakout 2024 season and entered the NFL Draft, ultimately being selected by the San Francisco 49ers. His replacement, Fernando Mendoza, went on to win the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana to a 16-0 national championship finish. Now the program turns to former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to lead the way.

Joel Klatt, a college football analyst with Fox Sports, is especially high on Hoover ahead of the season.

“He’s the perfect candidate to replace Mendoza,” Klatt said on his college football podcast. “Almost a clone of Mendoza.”

Klatt cites Indiana’s usage of RPO’s with Mendoza, who ran more RPO plays than any other quarterback in college football in 2025, as his reasoning. Right behind him was Hoover at TCU. Klatt also touched on the words traded between TCU head coach Sonny Dykes and Cignetti weeks ago, with Dykes mentioning Hoover’s turnover issues during a podcast appearance. Cignetti responded by saying the quarterback would be working with a productive running game and strong defense, limiting the work he’d have to do.

Q&A

How does Joel Klatt compare Josh Hoover to Fernando Mendoza?

Joel Klatt sees similarities between Josh Hoover and Fernando Mendoza, particularly in their potential to lead the Indiana football team.

What led to Josh Hoover becoming the starting quarterback for Indiana?

Josh Hoover is stepping in as the starting quarterback after Kurtis Rourke's departure to the NFL and following Fernando Mendoza's successful tenure.

What achievements did Fernando Mendoza have at Indiana?

Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and a national championship.