How Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti develops transfer quarterbacks impresses Fox analysts
Story by
How Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti develops transfer quarterbacks impresses Fox analysts
Michael Niziolek, The Herald-Times·Indianapolis Star
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
BLOOMINGTON —Indiana footballcoachCurt Cignetti's blueprint for developing transfer quarterbacks is the heart of his success.
Going back to 2022, Cignetti opened the season with a new starter out of the transfer portal each year. In a matter of months, Cignetti and his staff helped those quarterbacks reach new heights, and team success followed.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
It's something Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster Urban Meyer never anticipated.
"When I first started hearing about the transfer portal, I said, that's one place you can't do it is quarterback," Meyer said of developing quarterbacks in one season. "I can't be proven more wrong."
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) hands off to Khobie Martin (28) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
Oct 11, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is chased by Kansas State Wildcats defensive tackle Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder (55) during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
(Scott Sewell, Scott Sewell-Imagn Images)
Nov 8, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) looks to throw downfield against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
(Raymond Carlin III, Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images)
Arizona State defensive lineman C.J. Fine (99) rushes TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Sept. 26, 2025.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Jul 9, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; TCU quarterback Josh Hoover speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
(Candice Ward, Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is tackled by SMU Mustangs defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sept. 20, 2025.
(Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
1/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana football quarterback Josh Hoover throws the ball on Aug. 5, 2026 during fall camp.
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
3/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) hands off to Khobie Martin (28) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
4/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
5/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
6/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Indiana's Josh Hoover (10) during Indiana University's football camp practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
(Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times)
7/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Oct 11, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is chased by Kansas State Wildcats defensive tackle Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder (55) during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
(Scott Sewell, Scott Sewell-Imagn Images)
8/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Nov 8, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
9/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) looks to throw downfield against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
(Raymond Carlin III, Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images)
10/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Arizona State defensive lineman C.J. Fine (99) rushes TCU quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Sept. 26, 2025.
(Patrick Breen/The Republic)
11/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) throws the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
12/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Jul 9, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; TCU quarterback Josh Hoover speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
(Candice Ward, Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports)
13/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
14/14
IU football QB Josh Hoover began his career at TCU, once an Indiana commit
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is tackled by SMU Mustangs defensive end Cameron Robertson (9) during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Sept. 20, 2025.
(Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Oregon's success with transfer quarterbacksBo Nix(2022) andDillon Gabriel(2024) impressed Meyer, but Cignetti's staff has a much longer track record of success starting with Todd Centeio winningSunBelt Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The following year Jordan McCloud earned the conference's Player of the Year. AtIndiana,Kurtis Rourkehad the second highest passer rating in the FBS andFernando Mendozawon the Heisman.
"I don't get it," Meyer said with a shake of his head. "I don't understand that at all. I always thought the quarterback position was someone that you train, you develop like we've always done. You take a player and you try to redshirt him, or you learn from an older player and then you progressively learn, but they wrote the book on it."
Meyer returned to Bloomington this week to cover Indiana's season opener against North Texas for "Big Noon Kickoff," Fox's weekly pregame show. His colleagueBrady Quinn, a former Maxwell Award winner, echoed the coach's thoughts.
"Imagine you were tasked with walking out here and talking to me in Spanish," Quinn said when trying to put the challenge of developing a quarterback in perspective. "It's hard to put it into context, but that's the best way I can describe it to people. Watching what he did with Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza and now Josh, it's incredible."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
It helps that Cignetti's staff landed a series of dedicated and talented quarterbacks willing to put in the work. Cignetti's focus on maintaining a balanced attack helps as well.
"Josh is not going to feel like he has to win the game on every throw," Quinn said. "And I think that will be really beneficial."
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
