Former TCU quarterback transfers to nation’s No. 1-ranked team
Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover will transfer to Indiana, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and the College Football Playoff title favorite entering the semifinals, according to multiple reports.
Hoover will have the opportunity to take over next season for departing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who is projected to be the first overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
Hoover was 19-12 as a starter in two-plus seasons for the Horned Frogs. He threw for a TCU single-season record 3,949 yards with 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024, then followed that up by throwing for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns with 13 interceptions this season.
He announced his intention to enter the transfer portal Dec. 18 and did not play in TCU’s 30-27 overtime win over USC in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
Hoover originally committed to Indiana before switching to TCU out of Rockwall-Heath High School in the Dallas area.
After redshirting in 2022, he started the final six games of the 2023 season. He made an electric starting debut, throwing for 439 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-11 win against BYU. TCU ended up going 2-4 in Hoover’s starts to finish off a 5-7 season.
Hoover’s record 2024 season produced a 9-4 mark, including a New Mexico Bowl victory over Louisiana.
The Horned Frogs began this season with the goal of competing for the Big 12 championship. Hoover played spectacularly at times but was sometimes turnover-prone. He threw two interceptions in each of TCU’s losses to finish 8-4.
For his TCU career, he threw for 9,629 yards with 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions.
No. 1 Indiana (14-0) will face No. 5 Oregon (13-1) in the CFP semifinals in the Peach Bowl on Friday.
The Hoosiers have undergone a stunning transformation under head coach Curt Cignetti, who took over a 3-9 team after the 2023 season and went 11-2 with a playoff berth in 2024 before this season’s unbeaten run.
Mendoza transferred to Indiana this season from Cal and won the Heisman after throwing for 3,172 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Hoover has one season of eligibility remaining.
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM.
