IUFB Offseason Updates

[Home Jersey]

On the one hand, have to assume Cig will definitely want to add quality depth across the board and have guys compete.

On the other hand, Alberto has been through a lot with Cig and will be going into his third year in the system. Committed at JMU, followed to IU, got his older brother to come here over Georgia and others... they've been through a lot together and I don't think that can be totally discounted. 

In the end I expect we take a quality QB transfer but I don't think it'll be a given that they beat out Alberto for the starting spot. 

[Napleshoosier]

Who ever it is he will have to earn the start!  Nothing given.

[Pagoda]

17 minutes ago, BtownStrength said:

Without a transfer, we would have Alberto, RS Fr Jacob Bell, true frosh Cash Herrera, and maybe Tyler Cherry if he returns? Gotta think we bring in someone big 

I obviously trust the staff, but I’d think we take advantage of this Fernando momentum (wins, Heisman chance, draft pick) and try and get another big time QB in the portal.  Obviously a guy like Fernando makes a big difference!

But, I’ll just watch a learn with this staff.  If they like Alberto that’s cool.  He shorter with less arm strength that Fernando, but he’s more athletic and has been in the system a long time.  The staff really like him.

[Brass Cannon]

I think Wayne kind hit on the one thing that might hold Alberto back.  He’s listed at 6-2. 

[Hovadipo]

1 minute ago, Stuhoo said:

Great discussion!

I betcha the staff already has a pretty good idea about whether Alberto will be our main guy next year.

100%

As for the style aspect mentioned above, it’s worth noting that Cig had some DAMN good JMU teams with QBs that leaned more toward running. Jordan McCloud was a dawg. Todd Centeio was too. The Doza/Rourke build has been good to us, but don’t think we’re married to it either. 

[go iu bb]

I'm not sure Cignetti would want Leavitt. His completion percentages are much lower than both Rourke's and Mendoza's were before coming to IU. It could be due to personnel around him and/or scheme, but I think that is something the staff really values.

[Stuhoo]

27 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

I think Wayne kind hit on the one thing that might hold Alberto back.  He’s listed at 6-2. 

From the limited game samples of Alberto, I would think that what could potentially hold him back is not his height, but that he might not have enough pop in his arm to throw the whole route tree.

[DChoosier]

We are all guessing about next years QB and my guess is that our starter will be someone that will arrive at IU with at least 2-3k passing yards already under his belt.

Cig likes production and I think that is particularly true at the QB position.

[IUHoosierJoe]

2 hours ago, Scotty R said:

I would predict if we brought in another sure starter at QB that Alberto will look elsewhere 

That’s a very good prediction.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Maybe our next QB is already in Bloomington.  John Bargen, son of assistant bball coach Mike Bargen.  Purely FWIW.

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/bloomington/bloomington-north-cougars/athletes/john-bargen/football/stats/?careerid=7c0ek8dgpghee&sportSeasonId=d3f943a6-448f-4f26-8754-84299a3d7201

[Lebowski]

Every QB on the current roster will get a fair shake at the job. Don't count out #16. His resume before D1 football was better than #15's. We're in excellent shape at the position. Who knows what next year brings but make no mistake, the current QB room is in good shape. 

[rcbowla]

Not sure why Alberto would need to look elsewhere if we brought someone in to start next year over him. He'd still have a good shot at being the starter to begin '27 as a RSJR and be starter for 2 years. It's not abnormal (maybe it is now) for a QB to get their shot as a JR compared to FR or SO year. 

[rcbowla]

Also its not as if he knew for sure his brother would go pro after this year. So if he was OK with waiting 2 years in that scenario why would that all change because his brother was developed faster and to a higher level than expected? I mean wouldn't that make you want to stay even more and get your chance?

[Lebowski]

Keep in mind every year is retention of the current roster. So there's a re-recruiting process if that makes sense.  With the current roster, I can only think of 5 reasons (there might be more) why the staff would actively pursue a QB in the transfer portal. 

1. Someone on the roster decides to transfer out
2. The staff pursues someone on the roster to transfer out
3. We are unable to retain someone on the roster (this is related to the first point)
4. Injury (for example: Tyler Cherry's season ending injury that occurred last December)
5. Someone on the roster decides to end his career/retire

The coaching staff will more than likely get contacted by multiple players in the portal. But again, I'm not sure the staff is actively looking if that makes sense.

[Hovadipo]

9 minutes ago, Lebowski said:

Keep in mind every year is retention of the current roster. So there's a re-recruiting process if that makes sense.  With the current roster, I can only think of 5 reasons (there might be more) why the staff would actively pursue a QB in the transfer portal. 

1. Someone on the roster decides to transfer out
2. The staff pursues someone on the roster to transfer out
3. We are unable to retain someone on the roster (this is related to the first point)
4. Injury (for example: Tyler Cherry's season ending injury that occurred last December)
5. Someone on the roster decides to end his career/retire

The coaching staff will more than likely get contacted by multiple players in the portal. But again, I'm not sure the staff is actively looking if that makes sense.

A 6th reason: there will be better QBs than Alberto in the portal. I don't dislike Alberto, but any staff worth its salt is always looking at ways it can improve the roster. 

[Lebowski]

52 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

A 6th reason: there will be better QBs than Alberto in the portal. I don't dislike Alberto, but any staff worth its salt is always looking at ways it can improve the roster. 

I hear ya. I just think next year's starting job is Alberto's to lose. I think he's going to be even more dynamic then his older brother. I could be completely wrong.

[steubenhoosier]

1 hour ago, Lebowski said:

I hear ya. I just think next year's starting job is Alberto's to lose. I think he's going to be even more dynamic then his older brother. I could be completely wrong.

I agree that the best guy will win the position through competition. That being said, if all things are equal I’ll take the guy who has experience playing meaningful minutes v P4 competition 

[Home Jersey]

37 minutes ago, steubenhoosier said:

I agree that the best guy will win the position through competition. That being said, if all things are equal I’ll take the guy who has experience playing meaningful minutes v P4 competition 

Ole Miss brought in Trinidad Chambliss from Ferris State and he's played well enough to stay ahead of Simmons, who was the starter to begin the year. The staff will add quality depth and make a decision on who starts. All things being equal, Alberto may be Chambliss or Simmons in this scenario... but I'm nowhere near as quick to overlook Alberto or write him off as many of our fans apparently are. No guarantee who we bring in will be better than Alberto. That's a good problem to have. 

[IndyHoosier1997]

I think Alberto has shown a good arm with good zip on the ball, and he’s certainly the more athletic of the two brothers and his legs are a legitimate weapon. 
 

obviously not the size of Fernando at 6’5 but he’s not particularly small at 6’2. 
 

Hard to know the important bits like how he processes the game, can he read defenses, does he know where to go with the football etc. but I’m sure the staff has a better idea of that. 
 

One thing for sure I know is he’ll have a stud WR in Charlie Becker to throw too next year and (hopefully) one more year of Omar Cooper.  
 

I’ll simply say this, this staff has shown they’re one of the best in America at developing QB’s, I’m sure there’s a ton of talented guys who’d love to come here, it really just comes down to how we view Alberto. 

Edited November 19, 2025 by IndyHoosier1997

[realTomCrean]

23 minutes ago, IndyHoosier1997 said:

I think Alberto has shown a good arm with good zip on the ball, and he’s certainly the more athletic of the two brothers and his legs are a legitimate weapon. 
 

obviously not the size of Fernando at 6’5 but he’s not particularly small at 6’2. 
 

Hard to know the important bits like how he processes the game, can he read defenses, does he know where to go with the football etc. but I’m sure the staff has a better idea of that. 
 

One thing for sure I know is he’ll have a stud WR in Charlie Becker to throw too next year and (hopefully) one more year of Omar Cooper.  
 

I’ll simply say this, this staff has shown they’re one of the best in America at developing QB’s, I’m sure there’s a ton of talented guys who’d love to come here, it really just comes down to how we view Alberto. 

We also return:

RB - Lee BeeBe and Khobe Martin

WR - Cooper (?), Becker, Bond, Baldwin

OL - Carter Smith, Bray Lynch, Drew Evans, Ajani

LB - Turner, Jones, Hardy, Turner, Utzinger

DL - Tucker, Ndukwe, Landino, Burruss, Depaepe x2

DB -  Baldwin Jr, Boyd, Ballin, Ferrell, Ponds (?), Sharpe, Chung

ST - Conner, Radicic

These are all names that I knew off the top of my head. I'm sure there are some RS and talented freshman that I haven't included. 

Notable Freshman commits that I haven't seen this year: 

https://www.on3.com/college/indiana-hoosiers/football/2025/industry-comparison-commits/

https://www.on3.com/college/indiana-hoosiers/football/2026/industry-comparison-commits/