Honestly, if you told an Indiana fan three years ago that the Hoosiers would be playing for a National Championship in January 2026, they would’ve asked what you were drinking. Yet, here we are. Curt Cignetti hasn’t just "turned the program around"—he’s basically rebuilt the entire engine while the car was moving at 100 mph.
The buzz in Bloomington is different now. It's not that tentative, "hope we make a bowl game" vibe anymore. It’s a genuine powerhouse mentality. With the 2026 season on the horizon and the transfer portal spinning like a top, the IU football depth chart is undergoing a massive facelift that looks more like an NFL roster than a basement-dwelling Big Ten squad.
The Quarterback Room: Life After the Heisman
Everyone is asking the same thing: What happens if Fernando Mendoza actually leaves? After a Heisman-winning season and leading IU to a 15-0 start (as of this weekend), Mendoza is the projected number one overall pick for the Raiders. That’s wild.
If he jumps to the pros, the IU football depth chart doesn't just crumble. Cignetti went out and snagged Josh Hoover from TCU. Hoover isn’t some backup; he’s the active FBS leader in career passing yards. He’s got 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns in his pocket. Basically, IU is replacing a legend with a guy who has already seen every coverage known to man.
Behind him, you’ve still got Alberto Mendoza and Tyler Cherry. Cherry was the big-time in-state get a couple of years back, and fans are still itching to see what his arm can do.
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The Weapons: Speed Over Size
Losing Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams hurts. They were the reliable vets. But the replacement plan is fascinating. Nick Marsh (Michigan State) and Shazz Preston (Tulane via Alabama) are coming in to join Omar Cooper Jr.
Marsh is a physical freak. Preston is a burner who finally found his hands at Tulane last year. It’s a different kind of wideout room—less about "post up and catch" and more about "catch and gone."
Who’s Carrying the Rock?
Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black have been the heartbeat of the backfield, but their eligibility is up. Enter Turbo Richard. Yes, that is his real name. The Boston College transfer brings a different gear to the running back rotation.
He’ll likely share reps with Lee Beebe Jr., who has been the "old reliable" in the rotation for a while. It's a classic lightning-and-thunder setup.
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The Trench Warfare: Protecting the Investment
The offensive line is where games are won in the Big Ten, and IU finally has depth. Carter Smith staying at left tackle would be huge, but if he goes pro, the staff has Joe Brunner from Wisconsin ready to step in.
You don't usually see 4-star offensive linemen transferring into Indiana. That’s the Cignetti effect. He’s making it cool to play in the trenches at Memorial Stadium.
- Left Tackle: Carter Smith (if he returns) or Joe Brunner.
- Left Guard: Drew Evans or Sam Simpson.
- Center: Pat Coogan’s departure leaves a hole, likely filled by a battle between Austin Leibfried and Joe Brunner moving inside.
- Right Guard: Bray Lynch.
- Right Right: Adedamola Ajani.
The "Bull" Defense: Can They Keep the Edge?
Defensively, IU is losing some monsters. Mikail Kamara and Aiden Fisher were the anchors of this 4-2-5 "Multiple" scheme. Replacing 11-win-season production isn't easy, but the portal has been kind again.
Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame) and Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State) are coming in to play the "STUD" and Edge positions. They’re long, lean, and fast. The secondary also looks stacked with D’Angelo Ponds and the addition of A.J. Harris from Penn State.
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Actually, the cornerback room might be the deepest part of the entire IU football depth chart next year. You’ve got:
- D’Angelo Ponds (Assuming he doesn't declare for the NFL)
- A.J. Harris (The high-pedigree Penn State transfer)
- Jamari Sharpe (The speedster)
- Ryland Gandy (The reliable vet)
Special Teams: The Irish Connection
Don't sleep on the kickers. Paddy McAteer is coming in from Troy. He’s from Ireland, has a cannon for a leg, and was dropping 53-yarders last year. With Nico Radicic returning, the kicking game might actually be a weapon instead of a heart-attack-inducing liability.
What This Means for Your Saturday
The reality is that Indiana is now a "destination" school. The 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top 35 nationally, which is unheard of for this program.
They aren't just relying on transfers anymore. They’re getting guys like Gabe Hill (4-star DL) and Henry Ohlinger (4-star LB) out of high school. That’s how you build a program that lasts longer than a single fluke season.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the IU football depth chart this spring, keep your eyes on the "STUD" position and the backup QB battle. Those are the two spots that will determine if IU is a 10-win team again or if they slide back to the middle of the pack.
- Check the Transfer Portal Windows: The second window in late January is when the final pieces of the 2026 puzzle will fall into place.
- Follow Spring Camp: Look for reports on Tyler Cherry’s development; he’s the future if Hoover is only a one-year bridge.
- Watch the NFL Draft Declarations: If Smith, Ponds, and Mendoza all stay, IU might start 2026 as a Top 5 team. If they leave, expect a slight rebuilding "lite" year.
The "Cignetti Era" is no longer a honeymoon—it's a full-blown marriage with success. The roster is deeper, faster, and more expensive (in NIL terms) than ever before. Whether they can sustain this level of Big Ten dominance depends entirely on how these new portal additions mesh with the culture that’s been built over the last 24 months.