- Indiana’s new quarterback, Josh Hoover, is a preseason Heisman favorite after transferring from TCU.
- Lane Kiffin has overhauled LSU’s roster with a top transfer class, positioning the Tigers as playoff contenders.
- Miami quarterback Darian Mensah and Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp are other high-profile additions expected to elevate their teams.
The right new coach and the right new quarterback can instantly change a program’s outlook — and yes, we’re talking about Indiana.
In his first year, Curt Cignetti lifted Indiana from the basement of the Big Ten to the College Football Playoff. In his second, the addition of Fernando Mendoza took the Hoosiers from that at-large playoff bid to a Big Ten and national championship.
As we begin to look ahead to the 2026 season, newcomers in key spots — at head coach, coordinator, quarterback, defensive line and the secondary — will have a similar impact on the Power Four and the playoff.
The list of college football’s most impactful newcomers has to start with Mendoza’s replacement for the recently crowned national champions:
Indiana QB Josh Hoover
Hoover shouldn’t be expected to match Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy, though the TCU transfer will be one of the preseason favorites. A senior with almost three years of starting experience, Hoover brings a slightly different skill set to the table and could allow for some subtle and other not-so-subtle changes to the Hoosiers’ prolific scheme. Another big addition for this offense is former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh. But Indiana will have important continuity in other ways, including in the return of both coordinators in Mike Shanahan (offense) and Bryant Haines (defense).
LSU coach Lane Kiffin
Kiffin has already overhauled the roster with a stunning transfer class and will have the Tigers in the playoff mix in his debut. At quarterback, he signed former Arizona State starter Sam Leavitt. He renovated the receiver room with multiple proven starters, including Winston Watkins from Mississippi. He signed the top offensive lineman in the portal in Colorado’s Jordan Seaton. The defense brought in standouts such as former Boise State safety Ty Benefield and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen from the Rebels. Kiffin has LSU ready to hit the ground running.
Miami QB Darian Mensah
The most recent poster child for the wild-west NIL and portal era, Mensah recommitted to Duke after the end of the regular season before entering the portal at the eleventh hour and joining the Hurricanes. While controversial, this move reflects Mensah’s growing reputation as one of the top players in the Power Four. Joining several key holdovers and other high-profile newcomers such as former Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson II, the junior will have the supporting cast to propel Miami to its first national title since 2001.
Penn State coach Matt Campbell
Whether Campbell has compiled the roster needed to compete for the Big Ten crown remains to be seen; that may depend on how quickly his former players from Iowa State acclimate to the new conference. But even if expectations are somewhat low coming off a seven-win season, Penn State has the coaching, inherent talent level and most of all the schedule to be a playoff threat. The Nittany Lions miss Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon, though they do travel to Washington and Michigan.
Texas Tech defensive lineman Mateen Ibirogba
Brendan Sorsby is an upgrade under center. Kansas State transfer linebacker Austin Romaine could have a Jacob Rodriguez-like impact on the second level. Former Auburn receiver Malcolm Simmons could pop in this system. But the Red Raiders’ biggest addition of the offseason might be Ibirogba, an all-conference interior lineman for Wake Forsest who will be the building block for a remade defensive front. Should he carry over his production from the ACC, Ibirogba will open things up for new edge rushers Adam Trick and Trey White.
Clemson offensive coodinator Chad Morris
This might be a make-or-break season for Dabo Swinney and Clemson after another highly disappointing freefall down the ACC standings. To help boost the offense, Swinney hired former coordinator Morris, who previously held the position from 2010-14 and helped set the foundation for two national championships. Morris hasn’t been a coordinator since 2020 and inherits a flawed quarterback room that didn’t add any competition from the portal. But his track record with the Tigers provides a glimmer of hope heading into 2026.
Oregon defensive back Koi Perich
There are changes afoot at Oregon, including in-house promotions for new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton. There was also an exodus into the portal along the defensive line and an important loss in standout safety Dillon Thieneman. While there will be a learning curve, the Ducks made a significant move in signing Perich, who spent his first two years at Minnesota as one of the most unheralded defenders in the Power Four. Like Thieneman in his transition from Purdue, look for Perich to quickly become a leader of this defense and contend for conference and All-America accolades.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
For the second time in three years, Ryan Day has tapped a former NFL head coach as his offensive coordinator. Like Chip Kelly before him, Smith will be expected to put together a foolproof system that will lead Ohio State to the national championship. Smith has earned praise for his work with quarterbacks, a good sign for Julian Sayin’s development, and has the schematic know-how to take advantage of the Buckeyes’ insane talent level.
Notre Dame defensive back DJ McKinney
A two-year starter at Colorado, McKinney is a tall, rangy and experienced Power Four producer who should flourish with the Fighting Irish. After starting his career at Oklahoma State, playing a huge role as a redshirt freshman in 2023 and helping the Cowboys reach the Big 12 title game, McKinney was overshadowed by Travis Hunter during his first year in Boulder and flew under the radar during the Buffaloes’ disappointing 2025 season. For the Irish, he’ll bolster an already impressive secondary headlined by junior star Leonard Moore and returning starters Christian Gray and Dallas Golden.
Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp
Muschamp will take over the Longhorns’ defense for the second time — he previously ran the show from 2008-10 and was for a time Mack Brown’s head coach in waiting — after five years in various roles under Kirby Smart at Georgia. While he last coordinated a defense for Auburn in 2015, Muschamp’s track record is nearly perfect: At every stop, he’s put together units that combined technique with aggressiveness, making him the type of hire that can lift Texas over the hump and deep into the playoff.