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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Alberto Mendoza, the backup and younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, entered the transfer portal Tuesday (January 20) hours after the Hoosiers' win against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium Monday (January 19) night, ESPN reports.
Mendoza, who has three more years of college football eligibility, threw for 286 yards and five touchdowns on 18 of 24 passing (75%) while taking limited snaps in nine appearances during his older brother's historic season leading Indiana to its first national championship and an undefeated record. The redshirt freshman rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 84 quarterback, No. 204 player from the state of Florida and the No. 1,576 overall prospect for the 2024 national recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Mendoza's decision to transfer was expected after Indiana signed former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, who ranked as a four-star transfer prospect, according to 247Sports, earlier this month. Hoover started in 31 games for the Horned Frogs and threw for 9,629 yards, 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions on 771 of 1,183 passing.
Indiana and Miami players have until the January 24 deadline to enter their names in the transfer portal following the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.