Indiana football methods will continue to challenge, measure USC
Indiana and Curt Cignetti have a process which has led to trophies. IU's success will increase pressure on USC and other Big Ten programs to keep up
USC football succeeded in 2022 because it used the transfer portal extremely well. The Trojans got Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, Travis Dye, Bobby Haskins, Mario Williams, and other hugely important players that year. In subsequent years, USC's portal haul -- and reliance on the portal -- declined.
Meanwhile, Indiana and Curt Cignetti raided the portal to win big. The more Indiana wins with its methods, the more USC and other Big Ten programs will face scrutiny about how they construct rosters. ESPN's Bill Connelly ranked Indiana's transfer portal class No.
2 in the United States for 2026. Here's his analysis: "I just love the tidiness. Before Indiana had even completed its national title run, Curt Cignetti had already locked down productive veterans for the latest succession plan.
Hoover, with his 9,629 career passing yards, moves in for Fernando Mendoza. Richard, productive and exciting despite getting almost no help at BC, will look to replace one of last year's two 1,000-yard rushers. Receivers Nick Marsh (Michigan State) and Shazz Preston (Tulane) will be asked to fill in for Omar Cooper Jr .