All articles tagged with #indiana hoosiers
Billionaire Mark Cuban says he provided NIL funds that helped Indiana recruit Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a move that powered the Hoosiers to a national championship. Cuban says he donates without earmarking specifics and leaves the allocation to athletic director Scott Dolson, with undisclosed amounts that have risen this season as IU enjoyed a 16–0 run and Mendoza’s career culminated in an NFL No. 1 pick.
Five early rankings for the 2026-27 season show the Big Ten with strong depth: Michigan, Illinois and Michigan State sit near the top in several lists, Indiana is rising thanks to a transfer class, and Purdue, Nebraska, Ohio State, UCLA and USC appear across multiple rankings, signaling a competitive conference ahead.
Indiana's spring football wrapped with a program-record eight Hoosiers drafted in the 2026 NFL draft (Mendoza to the Raiders as No. 1, Cooper to the Jets at No. 30, Ponds to the Jets, Black to the 49ers, and Sarratt, Nowakowski, Coogan, and Fisher on Days 2–3). Six more unsigned as free agents joined Mendoza/Black in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and elsewhere. The digest also notes a fifth non-conference basketball opponent (Eastern Illinois) for IU’s 2026-27 schedule, optimistic early bracket projections placing IU in the 2027 NCAA tournament, notable IU women’s portal additions, and a broad Hoosier Roundup covering softball, baseball, tennis, golf, track, rowing, wrestling, and Little 500 results, plus ongoing Back Home Network programming.
With the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to its first national championship and an undefeated season in 2025 (3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns on 72% completion, plus an 8:0 TD-to-INT ratio in the playoffs), becoming the Raiders’ fifth Heisman winner drafted; Mendoza previously starred for California with 4,712 passing yards and 30 TDs.
The NFL reportedly asked Peyton Manning to urge Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza to attend the draft; Manning did reach out, but Mendoza declined to participate. The piece notes the league’s aim to boost the TV spectacle and comments on compensation for draft performers, while affirming Mendoza’s right to his decision.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the new face of the Las Vegas Raiders. In an SB Nation interview, he reflects on a blessed journey from a two-star recruit, explains his 'PIMP' pre-snap process (Protection, Intent, Mechanics, Problems), and emphasizes competitive toughness and emotional intelligence as core traits. He discusses his leadership, faith, family support, and off-field work with Pfizer promoting cancer screenings and MS fundraising with his brother. Mendoza plans to watch the draft at home in Miami with his village, aiming to start his NFL career as an efficient, 'point guard' for his future team.
Indiana Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza announced he will skip the 2026 NFL Draft to stay home with his family because his mother has multiple sclerosis; he’ll watch the draft from Miami with loved ones, while cameras will capture his reaction if he's selected No. 1 by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sports Illustrated profiles Fernando Mendoza, a two-star high school quarterback who defied early expectations to lead Indiana to a national championship and generate top‑of‑draft buzz. Praised for pinpoint accuracy, clutch play, and a Stoic, cerebral approach, Mendoza has grown from Cal to Indiana under a development‑oriented regime, aligning his intangibles with modern NFL scheming. Evaluators note elite leadership and intellect but also the need to refine deep throws, mobility, and scheme fit. With a strong support system and a focus on reps and growth, he’s positioned as a plausible No. 1 pick for a franchise prioritizing a smart, ready‑to‑grow quarterback.
Indiana's roster exploded from four to ten in three days with six high-major transfers, including Samet Yigitoglu and Aiden Sherrell to shore up the frontcourt, Markus Burton at point guard, and Mustaf, Harris, and Lindsay adding wing/guard depth; the additions bring multi-year eligibility to build continuity and signal a shift from last year's mid-major-heavy approach while upgrading rim protection, rebounding, and scoring balance for the 2026-27 season.
Indiana's 2026-27 roster is taking shape as four transfer portal additions join three incoming freshmen and a returning Trent Sisley; six players from the 2025-26 squad have entered the portal or left due to eligibility. The portal window opened April 7 and closes April 21. New portal commits include Samet Yigitoglu along with Jaeden Mustaf, Darren Harris and Markus Burton, while high school signees Prince-Alexander Moody, Vaughn Karvala and Trevor Manhertz fill the rest of the class, which is currently ranked among the top 20 nationally as IU looks to rebound from an 18-14, 9-11 season that missed the NCAA tournament.
Indiana’s 2026-27 roster outlook is taking shape as five players (Jason Drake, Jasai Miles, Josh Harris, Aleksa Ristic, Nick Dorn) have entered the transfer portal, while six 2025-26 players have exhausted eligibility and won’t return. Only Trent Sisley is confirmed to return, with three high school signees (Prince-Alexander Moody, Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz) joining the program. No transfer additions have been announced yet as the 15-day portal window runs April 7–21.
Indiana junior wing Nick Dorn has entered the transfer portal, the fifth Hoosier to do so this spring. Dorn appeared in 30 games with 12 starts this season, averaging 8.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 23.2 minutes, while shooting 40.4% from three and 87% from the line. A Charlotte native who transferred to IU from Elon, Dorn has one season of eligibility remaining.
Indiana University is evaluating Duke guard Darren Harris as a potential transfer-portal addition to boost perimeter shooting and guard depth. Harris, a 2024 top-40 recruit from Paul VI Catholic, played sparingly at Duke with limited 3-point success and has two years of eligibility remaining, making him a potential buy-low fit for the Hoosiers if he can secure a larger role.
Dylan Carey went 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to become Nebraska’s all-time doubles leader as No. 24 Nebraska rolled to a 12-4 win over Indiana at Hawks Field to complete the series sweep. The Huskers piled up 12 runs on 16 hits, six players had multi-hit games, and Cooper Katskee earned the win (4-0) over six innings as Nebraska improved to 22-6 overall and 8-1 in the Big Ten.
Indiana's season ends with a 74-61 loss to Northwestern, extending the Hoosiers' skid to seven straight against the Wildcats as Northwestern clamps down in the second half and Indiana's shooting stalls; Nick Martinelli scores a game-high 28 for Northwestern, while Indiana's Lamar Wilkerson carries the offense and a tough offseason rebuild via the transfer portal looms for DeVries.