In a move that underscores the harsh realities of college football's transfer era, Indiana Hoosiers backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal, just days after celebrating a national championship with his teammates. The decision, confirmed through a social media post shared from the recruiting platform On3, marks the end of a two-year journey with the Hoosiers that saw him transition from a little-used reserve to a key depth piece on a title-winning squad.
Mendoza, who served as the primary backup to his brother Fernando throughout the 2025 season, appeared in nine games for the national champions, completing 18 of his 26 pass attempts for 286 yards and five touchdowns. While his statistical contributions were modest compared to the starting quarterback's Heisman-caliber numbers, his presence provided crucial insurance for a team with championship aspirations. In modern college football, where quarterback injuries can derail a season overnight, having a reliable backup with game experience is invaluable.
The younger Mendoza brother arrived in Bloomington in 2024 as part of the initial recruiting class assembled by head coach Curt Cignetti, who had taken over the program with a vision of transforming it into a national contender. During that inaugural season, Alberto saw extremely limited action, appearing in just a single game as Kurtis Rourke, a veteran transfer from Ohio University, guided the offense. The experience, while minimal, provided Mendoza with his first taste of Big Ten football and allowed him to acclimate to the speed and complexity of major college football.
The dynamic shifted dramatically before the 2025 season when Fernando Mendoza, Alberto's older brother, made the decision to transfer from California to join his sibling at Indiana. According to reporting from The Athletic, Alberto played a pivotal role in facilitating his brother's transfer, serving as a trusted confidant and recruiter throughout the decision-making process. The brothers' reunion in Bloomington created one of college football's most compelling storylines, as two siblings from the same household competed for the same position on a team with rising expectations.
Fernando ultimately won the starting job and proceeded to author one of the greatest single seasons in Indiana football history, leading the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship with a victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the title game. Throughout that magical run, Alberto remained the consummate teammate, supporting his brother while preparing each week as if he were the starter. His professionalism and work ethic earned him respect throughout the program, even as his path to significant playing time remained blocked by his brother's excellence.
The harsh mathematics of college football roster management ultimately sealed Alberto's fate. With Fernando returning for his senior season in 2026 and former TCU starter Josh Hoover committing to Indiana through the transfer portal, the quarterback room suddenly became one of the most crowded and competitive in the nation. Hoover, who threw for over 3,000 yards in his sophomore season with the Horned Frogs before injuries and personnel changes altered his trajectory, represents exactly the type of proven commodity that championship programs covet as insurance against injury or underperformance.
For Alberto, the writing on the wall became clear: his path to meaningful playing time at Indiana had effectively vanished. In an era where quarterbacks are increasingly judged by their statistical output and highlight reels, spending another season as a third-string option would do little for his development or his prospects of playing at the professional level. The transfer portal, for all its criticisms about roster instability, provides exactly this type of opportunity for players trapped in depth chart logjams to seek greener pastures.
The decision to leave a championship program is never easy, particularly when it involves family ties. The Mendoza brothers shared a unique bond throughout the 2025 season, celebrating victories together and supporting each other through the inevitable challenges of a grueling campaign. Their pregame warm-up routine, captured by photographers before the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State, became a visual representation of their brotherly connection—two quarterbacks, side by side, preparing to make history for their adopted program.
Alberto's departure highlights a growing trend in college football where even programs at the pinnacle of success experience significant roster turnover. National championship teams are often picked apart by the transfer portal, with backup players seeking opportunities to become starters elsewhere and incoming transfers hoping to join winning cultures. Indiana now faces the challenge of maintaining its championship-caliber depth while integrating new pieces into its roster.
As for where Alberto might land, the quarterback market remains fluid heading into the 2026 season. Several programs across the country find themselves in need of experienced signal-callers, whether due to graduation, NFL departures, or unexpected transfers. Teams in the Group of Five conferences often provide ideal landing spots for Power Five backups looking to prove themselves as starters. Additionally, programs undergoing coaching changes or offensive system overhauls may view Mendoza as an attractive option—someone with experience in a championship environment who can provide both competence and leadership.
His statistical profile, while limited, demonstrates efficiency when given opportunities. A completion percentage of approximately 69% and a touchdown-to-attempt ratio that suggests a knack for making plays in the red zone could appeal to offensive coordinators looking for a quarterback who can manage games effectively while limiting mistakes. At 6'2" and 210 pounds, he possesses the physical tools that coaches covet, and his experience learning under Cignetti's pro-style system could make him an attractive target for programs running similar schemes.
The transfer portal has fundamentally altered the calculus for college athletes, creating a perpetual free agency that allows players to reassess their situations annually. For every story of a backup who patiently waits his turn and eventually becomes a star, there are dozens of cases like Mendoza's—talented players who recognize that opportunity rarely knocks twice and that seizing control of one's destiny is essential in an increasingly competitive landscape.
As Indiana begins its title defense, the focus will remain squarely on Fernando Mendoza and the new supporting cast assembled around him. The story of the Mendoza brothers, however brief their on-field partnership may have been, will remain part of Hoosiers lore—a reminder that championships are built not just on star power but on the selflessness and dedication of players who understand their roles within a larger mission.
For Alberto, the next chapter awaits. Wherever he lands, he carries with him a national championship ring and the invaluable experience of having competed at the highest level of college football. In a sport where pedigree and potential often outweigh production, those credentials may prove to be his ticket to the opportunity he seeks. The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh away—but for Alberto Mendoza, it represents nothing less than the path to realizing his own dreams, separate from his brother's shadow.