Curt Cignetti’s ideal Kurtis Rourke replacement has already visited Indiana

On By Littum

Curt Cignetti was a transfer portal merchant this time last year. When he put his team together after taking the Indiana job, he was very active on the portal. He brought in 30 transfers entering the 2024 season.

Of his additions, the biggest was Kurtis Rourke, formerly of Ohio University. In one year, Rourke went from MAC player of the year to potential draft pick and led the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise if Cignetti turns to Portal for the second year in a row for a quarterback. And he’s already working on one.

California quarterback Fernando Mendoza is on Cignetti’s shortlist. Mendoza has already visited Bloomington, but according to On3 ($), has not made progress since, in part due to finals week.

On3 wondering if Georgia could come in trying to get the win over Mendoza, but right now it looks like Cignetti and the Hoosiers are in the lead.

Because of his eye for talent in quarterbacks landing on the transfer portal, Cignetti could see Mendoza as the best fit for the Hoosiers. This season in Cal’s first in the ACC, Mendoza threw for over 3,000 yards with 16 touchdowns.

Although Cal didn’t have a very promising season, he showed a lot of upside this season, even leading Cal to almost beat Miami at the beginning of the season.

Cignetti could lean on under-the-radar prospects. It worked with Rourke and could be his secret weapon. Mendoza is not a top prospect like John Mateer, Kaidon Salter or even Darian Mensah. But he can produce.

Indiana has two young prospects who backed up Rourke in Tayven Jackson and Tyler Cherry. But experience is key. Mendoza will have two years of eligibility, so that will give Cignetti a player to build around while allowing him to come in as a day one starter.

I’m not saying it’s guaranteed Mendoza will end up in Bloomington. But Cignetti jumps in at the deep end when it comes to tinkering with the transfer portal. Mendoza could be the perfect replacement after Rourke’s dominant season.