The Indiana Hoosiers are heading into the 2026 season as the reigning national champions. As they aim for back-to-back titles, a shift in their quarterback lineup is imminent. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is set to enter the NFL as the expected first overall pick in the upcoming draft. His younger brother, Alberto, who functioned as his backup, has opted to enter the transfer portal. Reports indicate that Georgia Tech is showing interest, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

In the 2025 season, Alberto Mendoza participated in nine games for the Hoosiers, often stepping in late when the team held significant leads. During those opportunities, he successfully connected on 18 of 24 pass attempts for 286 yards, netting five touchdowns with just one interception.

Should Georgia Tech emerge as Mendoza’s new home, it appears to be a promising match. With starter Haynes King having graduated and Aaron Philo transferring to Florida, a position vacancy at quarterback has arisen. Mendoza could seamlessly fill this opening while joining a Yellow Jackets team that has recently acquired a top running back in Justice Haynes from Michigan and a leading receiver in Jaylen Mbakwe from Alabama during this transfer window.

Alberto Mendoza’s departure is somewhat anticipated given that Indiana already secured its starting quarterback position via the transfer portal ahead of the national championship game, signing former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, marking a third consecutive starter obtained through transfer for Coach Curt Cignetti.

The previous two transfers have significantly contributed to the team’s success, culminating in Kurtis Rourke leading the Hoosiers to their first playoff appearance in 2024 and Mendoza steering them to their initial national title in 2025. This places heightened expectations on Hoover to maintain Indiana’s status as a national title contender, and they appear well-prepared for another playoff run in Cignetti’s third season.