Curt Cignetti did the impossible, arriving from James Madison and leading Indiana to a national championship in just two seasons. The Indiana Hoosiers are the defending champions heading into the 2026 season. The Hoosiers lost Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick by the Raiders. Running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black are also now in the NFL. Indiana will look for Boston College transfer Turbo Richard to fill the void.  The Hoosiers’ top pass catchers from a season ago, Omar Cooper, Elijah Sarratt and E.J. Williams, are also now in the NFL. Only one of the top eight receivers from a season ago remains on the roster. The Hoosiers are excited by the addition of the former Michigan State superstar Nick Marsh. Indiana is in excellent shape on the offensive line as all three full-time starters return, plus Wisconsin transfer Joe Brunner. Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan will be tasked with integrating TCU transfer Josh Hoover into the system.

The Hoosiers return six of their top eleven tacklers from a year ago and, in early August, hit the lottery when Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt announced they would return to the program. The defensive line is stacked with veteran talent and hit a home run in the transfer portal, bringing in Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi from Kansas State. The Hoosiers will be able to make hockey line changes to pressure the quarterback. Linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones return along with two starters in the secondary in Jamari Sharpe and Amare Ferrell. Indiana is high on transfers AJ Harris, Preston Zachman and Jiquan Sanks.

Indiana returns reliable placekicker Nico Radicic and has multiple punters on its roster who can pin teams deep. The Hoosiers will need new return men to step up with the departure of Jonathan Brady and Roman Hemby.  With outstanding transfer talent added to the core of a national championship roster, the sky remains the limit for Indiana in 2026.