Indiana University, currently holding the No. 1 ranking, is finalizing adjustments to its roster in anticipation of its upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal matchup against No. 5 Oregon scheduled for Friday night. Head coach Curt Cignetti has secured two vital additions through the transfer portal, most notably former Texas Christian University (TCU) quarterback Josh Hoover, according to a source aware of the developments who chose to remain anonymous pending an official announcement.
Additionally, Nick Marsh, a receiver previously playing for Michigan State University, is set to join the Hoosiers, a fact confirmed by Marsh’s mother, Yolanda Wilson. Marsh, who contemplated transferring during the previous year, recently decided against offers from other programs which reportedly included higher financial incentives, choosing instead to stay with the Spartans until this move.
Josh Hoover is viewed as a potential successor to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at the quarterback position. While Mendoza’s younger sibling, Alberto, may remain on the Indiana roster, Hoover provides experience with a multidimensional skill set that aligns with Coach Cignetti’s strategy, which has heavily favored seasoned, multi-year starters during his two seasons in Bloomington.
Indiana's quarterback strategy in recent seasons included acquiring Kurtis Rourke, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year from Ohio in 2024, followed by Fernando Mendoza, a two-year starting quarterback at California who joined the team this season.
Over his 2.5 seasons as the TCU starting quarterback, Hoover has compiled a starting record of 19 wins and 12 losses. He has completed 65.2% of 1,183 passing attempts, amassing 9,629 yards with 71 touchdown passes against 33 interceptions. In the 2025 season, Hoover completed 272 of 413 passes for 3,472 yards, delivering 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and added eight rushing touchdowns over his collegiate career.
The acquisition of Nick Marsh is another significant addition. During his two-season tenure with Michigan State, Marsh recorded 100 receptions totaling 1,311 yards and nine touchdown catches. In 2024 as a freshman, he set school records with 41 receptions and 649 yards. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 203 pounds, Marsh is anticipated to fill the void left by Elijah Sarratt, a receiver who made critical game-winning touchdown receptions against Iowa and in Indiana's earlier matchup against Oregon.
In addition to these moves, multiple media reports have indicated that former Boston College running back Turbo Richard is also set to join the Indiana roster. Richard carried the ball 145 times for 749 yards and nine touchdowns across 11 games last season, marking an increase from his 55 carries in 2024. Indiana faces the challenge of replacing its top two rushers, Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, who are no longer on the team.
The Hoosiers currently hold a flawless 14-0 record, while the Oregon Ducks stand at 13-1. Their forthcoming encounter at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta will determine which team proceeds to the national championship game set for January 19.
In other transfer news, quarterback Brendan Sorsby has made public his intention to transfer to Texas Tech via an Instagram announcement. Regarded among the premier quarterbacks in the transfer portal, Sorsby’s recent seasons at Cincinnati saw him pass for at least 2,800 yards annually. His 2025 statistics include a 61.6% completion rate on passes for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions alongside 580 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. The previous season, he completed 64% of passes for 2,813 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 447 yards and nine touchdowns.
Colton Joseph, another quarterback, is transferring from Old Dominion to Wisconsin, as indicated by his social media post, “On Wisconsin.” Joseph threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season. His performance at Old Dominion included completing 59.7% of passes for 2,624 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during a 10-3 season, along with 1,007 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 158 carries. Joseph did not participate in Old Dominion’s 24-10 Cure Bowl win over South Florida, opting instead to enter the transfer portal.
Wisconsin’s quarterback situation has involved frequent transfer portal acquisitions every year since coach Luke Fickell took charge, although injuries have plagued the position’s stability. Former SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai transferred in 2023 but suffered a broken hand, missing multiple games. Tyler Van Dyke, arriving the following year from Miami, tore his ACL early in the season. Braedyn Locke, previously from Mississippi State, served as starter during those injuries. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. began the 2025 season as Wisconsin’s starter but sustained knee sprains in multiple games. San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil, Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons, and freshman Carter Smith have also started games following these injuries.
Regarding Colorado, the program under coach Deion Sanders received several notable commitments, including San Jose State’s All-America second team receiver Danny Scudero, confirmed by a source familiar with the situation. Other additions include receiver Kam Perry from Miami (Ohio), defensive linemen Lamont Lester Jr. and Yamil Talib—the latter being the nephew of NFL veteran Aqib Talib—and running back Damian Henderson II, who follows offensive coordinator Brennan Marion from Sacramento State to implement a high-tempo, run-oriented offense known as the "Go-Go" system.
San Jose State’s Scudero tallied 88 receptions for 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, including a program-record four touchdown catches in a game against Wyoming. Perry, transferring for the third time, previously played at Indiana and Miami (Ohio), finishing the 2025 season with 43 receptions for 976 yards and six touchdowns. Henderson amassed 565 rushing yards last season, starting his career at Colorado State. Talib came from Charlotte where he posted 28 tackles and an interception last season, having been at Oklahoma State in 2024. Lester achieved 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles playing for Monmouth last season.
These recent transfer moves highlight the dynamic changes occurring in college football rosters as teams like Indiana position themselves for success in the playoffs, while other programs adjust to maintain competitive levels in key offensive and defensive positions.