Indiana Hoosiers’ head football coach Curt Cignetti is now being called the new “Portal King,” a label folks used to give Lane Kiffin. Cignetti has really leaned into the transfer portal to build a College Football Playoff (CFP) team, and so far, it’s worked out well for Indiana.
Meanwhile, Kiffin—now at LSU—seems to be changing gears. He’s focusing more on high school recruiting, which marks a pretty big shift from his old strategy. The difference between these two coaches is pretty striking if you ask me.
The Rise of Curt Cignetti: Indiana’s New Portal King
Curt Cignetti’s strategy at Indiana honestly feels like a breath of fresh air. He’s all about the transfer portal and has built a tough team by grabbing top transfer talent.
Quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU and wide receiver Nick Marsh from Michigan State are probably the biggest names in Indiana’s transfer haul. These moves have pushed the Hoosiers into the national spotlight.
It’s pretty clear that transfers can matter just as much—maybe even more—than high school recruits.
Key Transfers Fuel Indiana’s Success
Indiana’s rise under Cignetti comes down to a few key transfers:
- Josh Hoover (TCU): He’s been a huge part of Indiana’s offense and just seems to fit right in.
- Nick Marsh (Michigan State): Marsh brings real energy to the receiving group and gives them more depth.
- Fernando Mendoza: The Heisman-winning quarterback who’s basically the poster child for Indiana’s transfer strategy.
These guys—and a few others—have turned Indiana into a real championship threat.
Lane Kiffin’s Strategic Shift at LSU
While Cignetti keeps doubling down on transfers, Lane Kiffin has started to switch things up at LSU. Back when he was at Ole Miss, everyone called him the “Portal King,” but now he’s focusing more on high school recruiting.
Louisiana’s loaded with high school talent, so it makes sense for Kiffin to go after those four- and five-star recruits. He’s leaning into what the state gives him.
The Benefits of High School Recruiting
Kiffin’s new plan at LSU is to build mostly with high school recruits and then add transfers where needed. That’s what schools like Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee have done for years.
He told ESPN that *the sky’s the limit* for LSU if they stick to this approach. Kiffin wants to use transfers as a quick fix when needed, but he’s betting on high school guys for the long haul.
Contrasting Philosophies: Transfers vs. High School Recruits
The way Cignetti and Kiffin build their teams couldn’t be more different. Cignetti’s transfer-heavy approach gets results right away, while Kiffin’s betting on a more traditional, slower build at LSU.
Why Transfers Work for Indiana
Indiana doesn’t have a ton of blue-chip high school talent in-state. So Cignetti goes after standout players from other schools instead of chasing top-100 high school prospects.
Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt mentioned how much he respects Cignetti’s honest vision. Indiana’s recent success makes it a place transfers actually want to go.
The Hoosiers have blended these transfers with homegrown three-star recruits, which is kind of a cool mix.
The Long-Term Potential of High School Recruiting
Kiffin’s focus at LSU is all about taking advantage of Louisiana’s deep high school talent pool. By signing top high school players, he hopes to build a strong base that can keep up with the SEC’s best.
It’s a more standard approach, but it could pay off big if Kiffin gets it right.
The Future of College Football Roster Building
How Cignetti and Kiffin’s strategies pan out might change how other schools build their rosters. The transfer portal keeps changing things, and coaches have to figure out how to balance quick fixes with building for the future.
Adapting to the Changing Landscape
Coaches like Cignetti and Kiffin stand right at the edge of this evolving landscape. They adapt and try new things, pushing college football into its next era.
Whether they bring in transfers or sign high school recruits, their main focus stays the same. They want to build teams that can chase national championships.
It’s hard not to wonder what’s next as we watch these coaching giants. College football keeps shifting, and only those who can read the room will really thrive.
For more analysis and a deeper dive, check out the full article on IndyStar.
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