Josh Hoover faces the difficult task of replacing one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in recent Indiana football history. The experienced signal-caller arrives in Bloomington with 31 career starts, nearly 10,000 passing yards and 79 total touchdowns, but stepping in for Fernando Mendoza presents an entirely different level of expectation.
Mendoza elevated Indiana to unprecedented heights last season, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He also contributed 276 rushing yards and seven scores, delivering several defining moments throughout the Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff championship run. The Heisman Trophy winner ultimately secured his place among the program’s all-time greats.
Now, as Indiana prepares for the 2026 season, the spotlight has shifted to Hoover. Fans are eager to see how the offense will operate without Mendoza, and an encouraging moment from fall camp has already generated excitement about what the new quarterback could bring to the Hoosiers.
Josh Hoover, Charlie Becker building early chemistry
With fall camp entering its third week, Hoover has had extensive opportunities to work with Indiana’s first-team offense and develop relationships with his new teammates. The Hoosiers possess one of the deepest receiving groups in college football, but one player appears to be quickly emerging as a preferred target: Charlie Becker.
Becker enters his junior season following a breakout 2025 campaign. Although he did not make his first start until the Oct. 25 matchup against UCLA, he became one of the nation’s most productive receivers down the stretch. Over Indiana’s final seven games, the Nashville native recorded 27 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns while making several crucial plays during the postseason.
Becker was particularly effective on contested catches and back-shoulder throws while working with Mendoza, and early signs from camp suggest he could develop a similar connection with Hoover.
Of course, one impressive play in practice does not guarantee success once the season begins. Still, the early chemistry between Hoover and Becker offers a glimpse of what Indiana’s passing attack could look like this fall—and the connection bears some resemblance to the productive Mendoza-Becker partnership from a year ago.
Hoover has the tools to succeed at Indiana
Expecting Hoover to immediately replicate Mendoza’s historic season would be unrealistic, but the former TCU quarterback appears to be entering a favorable situation in Bloomington.
His experience should be a major advantage. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has already demonstrated an ability to help transfer quarterbacks elevate their games, with both Kurtis Rourke and Mendoza making significant strides under his leadership. Hoover could be the next quarterback to benefit from that environment.
He also enters the program with familiarity in an RPO-heavy offensive system, which should help ease his transition into Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s scheme.
Perhaps most importantly, Hoover will not be expected to carry the entire offense. During his time at TCU, he often played without the benefit of a consistently productive rushing attack, while the Horned Frogs also struggled defensively. Indiana’s more balanced and complementary approach could allow Hoover to play with greater support and put him in a position to maximize his considerable talent.
The first opportunity to see Hoover lead Indiana’s revamped offense will come soon, when the Hoosiers open the 2026 season against North Texas on Saturday, Sept. 5.
