Indiana Lands Big Transfers While Getting Ready for CFB Playoff Semifinal
The Indiana Hoosiers football program isn’t done just yet, with Friday night’s mega-matchup against the Oregon Ducks in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Sitting at 14-0 under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana is already looking ahead and building momentum by aggressively pursuing top talent in the transfer portal. The program will look a lot different with Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza heading to the NFL Draft, but these last few days have been the start of a solid rebuild.
These latest moves in the transfer portal have paid off handsomely, as the Hoosiers recently secured commitments from three standout transfers: QB Josh Hoover from TCU, WR Nick Marsh from Michigan State, and EDGE Tobi Osunsanmi from Kansas State.
These additions come at a pivotal time for Indiana, which has transformed from a conference underdog to a national powerhouse under Cignetti's leadership. Since arriving in Bloomington, Cignetti has emphasized team building and executing with a fine precision, turning the program into a magnet for transfers seeking championship opportunities.
Hoover, Marsh, and Osunsanmi each address specific needs, and their arrivals signal Indiana's ambition to compete for a College Football Playoff title once again. As the transfer portal window heats up, and Indiana continues to win big football games, this could just be the start of something special in the Hoosier State.
Josh Hoover: The Experienced Arm to Lead Indiana's Offense
Hoover, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound QB brings a wealth of starting experience from TCU, where he emerged as one of the Big 12's most prolific passers.
After redshirting in 2022, Hoover took over mid-2023 and started 31 games overall, amassing 9,629 passing yards, 71 touchdowns, and a 64.8% completion rate—ranking him among TCU's all-time leaders. His standout 2024 season saw him set a single-season school record with 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns, while in 2025, he threw for 3,472 yards and 29 scores despite 13 interceptions.
Interestingly, Hoover initially committed to Indiana as a high school recruit in 2021 before flipping to TCU. Now, under Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, Hoover is poised to take his game to the next level.
Hoover’s strong arm and ability to create explosive plays make him the frontrunner to start, providing stability as Indiana transitions from its Heisman hero.
Nick Marsh: A Big Ten Standout Ready to Elevate the Receiving Corps
Marsh, a 6-foot-3, 203-pound sophomore WR, arrives from Michigan State as one of the transfer portal's most coveted offensive weapons.
Ranked No. 167 in the 2024 ESPN 300 as a recruit, Marsh led the Spartans in receiving this season with 59 catches, 662 yards, and six touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2024, he made an immediate impact by hauling in 41 receptions for 649 yards, showcasing his size, speed, and route-running prowess.
Entering the portal on the start of December with two years remaining, Marsh chose to stay in the Big Ten, drawn to Indiana's high-powered offense and the opportunity to replace departing senior Elijah Sarratt, who posted 55 catches, 727 yards, and 13 touchdowns – with possibly two more games remaining.
Indiana got an eye-opening look at Marsh earlier this season, when he had seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown against them. Marsh's addition injects proven production into a receiving group, enhancing the Hoosiers' aerial attack and giving their new QB a reliable target for big plays.
Tobi Osunsanmi: Bolstering the Defensive Front with Edge Pressure
Osunsanmi, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound EDGE, transfers from Kansas State as a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility, bringing much-needed depth to Indiana's defensive line.
Appearing in 36 games over four years, Osunsanmi tallied 8.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 47 QB pressures. His production ramped up even more last season, with 20 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, and 4.0 sacks before a season-ending injury in October.
Osunsanmi's move addresses the loss of key edge rushers like Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt, and Stephen Daley, fortifying a defense that was instrumental in Indiana's undefeated 2025 run.
As one of the top edges in the portal, his athleticism and pass-rush skills align perfectly with Cignetti's aggressive scheme. Expect Osunsanmi to make an immediate impact, helping maintain the Hoosiers' dominance up front and pursuing another playoff berth.
