Alberto Mendoza had the opportunity to appear in nine games for the Hoosiers, often taking the field when the team was managing comfortable leads. During these appearances, he finished with an impressive 75% completion rate, connecting on 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception.
For Georgia Tech, this transfer is a strategic gain, especially after the graduation of starter Haynes King and the transfer of Aaron Philo to Florida. Philo moved to join offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, leaving the Yellow Jackets in need of a quarterback. Mendoza fits this role ideally, stepping into a team that has already bolstered its roster with top-tier talent, including running back Justice Haynes from Michigan and receiver Jaylen Mbakwe from Alabama, making the team a competitive presence in the upcoming season.
On Indiana’s side, the movement of Alberto Mendoza isn’t unexpected. The Hoosiers secured their starting quarterback from the transfer portal before the national championship game, bringing in former TCU QB Josh Hoover. This decision marks Curt Cignetti’s third consecutive season relying on a transfer quarterback for his starting lineup.
The previous two transitions proved successful, with Kurtis Rourke leading the Hoosiers to their inaugural playoff appearance in 2024, followed by Mendoza’s remarkable journey to the national championship in 2025. This raises the stakes for Hoover as he takes the helm, but with the Hoosiers showing a strong potential to reload for another playoff push in Cignetti’s third season, the outlook remains promising.
