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Curt Cignetti navigates Indiana football transition with 17 newcomers

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 4:55 PM

Last updated Aug 14, 2026

Curt Cignetti navigates Indiana football transition with 17 newcomers

Summary

Indiana football, under head coach Curt Cignetti, faces a significant roster transition this season with 17 new players following a national championship. The Hoosiers lost key contributors, including their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who left for the NFL. Despite returning 10 starters, Indiana's approach relies heavily on recruiting transfers to fill gaps left by departed talent. Cignetti's strategy mirrors his initial success, emphasizing player productivity as he seeks to maintain the momentum built in recent seasons.

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By the Numbers

•Indiana lost eight players to the NFL Draft, including key offensive stars.
•Curt Cignetti signed 17 transfers, aiming to replenish the roster quickly.
•The Hoosiers returned 10 starters, below the national champion average.
•Key returning players include quarterback Josh Hoover and running back Turbo Richard.
•Cignetti emphasizes maintaining program standards despite roster changes.

Latest Updates

4:55 PMCBS Sports — The Standard and the Strangers: Can Curt Cignetti, Indiana win big again with 17 newcomers?

What they're saying

"
Indiana rewrote what's possible when it won the national championship with 13 men who followed Cignetti to Bloomington, but now the Hoosiers have to do it with 17 new faces
— CBS Sportsby Brandon Marcello

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