Indiana's transfer portal wins: 3 top players Curt Cignetti secured from winter window ft. Fernando Mendoza

After a season in which the Indiana Hoosiers were the surprise of college football, the Hoosiers are hitting the transfer portal hard. Indiana surprised its way to the College Football Playoff and Cignetti is using his positive momentum to keep momentum rolling. The Hoosiers will have their hands full replicating 2024, but Cignetti is doing his best to keep the tools available.

The 11-2 Hoosiers were 10-0 when they played at Ohio State. Sure, Indiana's season ended with a CFP loss to Notre Dame, but the Hoosiers shocked the nation with an offense that scored 41.3 points per game. Second-year IU coach Cignetti is reloading for another run, and here are the top 3 stars IU has added via the current portal round.

Top 3 Indiana Hoosiers Cignetti has added in winter portal

Maryland's Roman Hemby could be a key addition for the Hoosiers. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

3. Amariyun Knighten, Northern Illinois CB

Knighten is an up-and-coming defensive back who found himself a highly-regarded portal prospect. A rangy, 6-foot-1 athlete, Knighten started 14 games over three seasons at Northern Illinois. In total, he had 45 tackles and seven passes broken up.

The only interception of Knighten's career came in NIU's upset victory over Notre Dame this season. He's the type of player who seems to make his biggest plays at the biggest moments, which bodes well for his forthcoming one season of eligibility with the Hoosiers.

2. Roman Hemby, Maryland RB

A four-year player at Maryland, Hemby has wavered on the verge of stardom with the Terrapins. In 42 games, he has amassed 2,347 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Hemby's best season at Maryland was 2022, when as a redshirt freshman, he ran for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Hemby has put up seven 100 yard games in his career. He's also caught 112 passes for 921 yards and five more touchdowns through the air. He's got just a year left at Indiana, but has the kind of skillset that should translate immediately to the Hoosier offensive attack in 2025.

1.Fernando Mendoza, California QB

With Kurtis Rourke's career ending, the Hoosiers needed a new QB1 in the portal. They grabbed Mendoza, who passed for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns at Cal in 2024. Mendoza had thrown for another 1,708 yards and 14 touchdowns once he inherited the QB job as a freshman in 2023.

Mendoza has been an impressive passer in his two years of action at Cal. His skillset suggests that he should be able to run a slightly more pass-heavy version of Cignetti's 2024 Indiana offense. The Hoosiers had to fill this biggest of needs in the offseason and with Mendoza, they met that challenge.

What do you think of IU's portal stars? Share your take below on their 2025 season potential.