Indiana football’s recent national championship season has kicked up a ton of momentum in the transfer portal. The result? A top-10 transfer haul, including a few coveted four-star recruits.
Quarterback Josh Hoover and wide receiver Nick Marsh headline the group. Both could make an immediate splash.
Head Coach Curt Cignetti, despite the chaos of postseason commitments, managed to land these key pieces. It’s shaping up to be another title run in 2026—at least, that’s the hope.
Indiana’s Transfer Portal Success
Indiana football really took advantage of its championship buzz, locking in a top-10 transfer class. Some of the biggest pickups:
- Josh Hoover – Productive quarterback from TCU.
- Nick Marsh – Standout wide receiver from Michigan State.
- Joe Brunner – Highly ranked offensive lineman.
The Hoosiers managed to patch most roster gaps through the portal. The transfer window overlapped with the postseason, making it a wild ride for Coach Cignetti and his crew.
Coach Curt Cignetti’s Dedication
Coach Cignetti’s all-in approach during this stretch was pretty remarkable. He was prepping for big games while also juggling visits and sealing commitments from top recruits.
He admitted to running on fumes: *I probably had four-straight nights going into the Oregon game where I slept three hours every night,* Cignetti told Bison Drops. That kind of grind seems to have paid off.
Key Transfer Additions
Josh Hoover: TCU Transfer Quarterback
Josh Hoover arrives in Bloomington with a hefty stat line. Nearly 10,000 passing yards and 80 touchdowns—can’t really argue with that.
Cignetti likes what he sees but wants to push Hoover even further. *Watched a lot of tape on him, highly productive guy. Starting experience, production, almost 10,000 yards (passing), 80 touchdowns (passing), won a lot of football games. What he’s done speaks for itself, and now our job is to get him and make him better,* he said.
Nick Marsh: Michigan State Transfer Wide Receiver
Nick Marsh is another big get for the Hoosiers. Cignetti’s been watching him for a couple of years and still remembers Marsh’s breakout game against Maryland as a true freshman.
*I’ve seen Nick Marsh two years in a row, up close and personal. Then when you’re getting ready to play whoever, sometimes you get Michigan State in the exchange (watching film). I still remember his Maryland game in 2024, when he would’ve been a true freshman, catching a couple posts. That guy’s always been very impressive,* Cignetti remarked.
Other Notable Transfers
Shazz Preston: Tulane Transfer Wide Receiver
Shazz Preston brings both experience and production. As a fifth-year guy, he’s got good ball skills, solid size, and the kind of strength you want in a veteran receiver.
*Guy’s been around a long time. Fifth year, had a really productive season last year. Really good ball skills, good size, good strength, and he’s older, he understands what it takes,* Cignetti stated.
Tobi Osunsanmi: Kansas State Transfer Edge
Tobi Osunsanmi stands out for his quick-twitch movement and pass-rushing skills. He can get off the line in a hurry and just has a different gear.
*Unusual movement. Big-time twitch. Can get from here to there really fast. Good get-off. Got a good pass-rush ability,* Cignetti highlighted.
A.J. Harris: Penn State Transfer Cornerback
A.J. Harris, who made third-team All-Big Ten, is expected to compete for a starting spot in the secondary. With Ponds gone, Harris brings much-needed experience and size to the cornerback group.
*A.J. Harris was third-team All-Big Ten a year ago. Getting ready for (Penn State), thought he was a good player, good size. Of course with Ponds going out, there’s a hole there (at cornerback). Everything’s earned, not given, he’ll have to compete for a starting job, but he’s put it on tape and so we thought he had value for us,* Cignetti explained.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Indiana football’s transfer class for 2026 looks strong. There’s a real sense that the Hoosiers could be in for another big year.
The mix of seasoned transfers and the energy from last season’s national championship? That’s got folks talking. Coach Cignetti seems to have a knack for handling the chaos of the transfer portal without skipping a beat when it comes to postseason play.
If you want to dig into the specifics of Indiana’s newest additions, check out the full article on 247Sports.
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