New Indiana Quarterback Josh Hoover is Too Undisciplined

When I first began studying Indiana transfer quarterback (QB) Josh Hoover on his 2025 TCU game film, I thought I was seeing the second coming of 49ers’ QB Brock Purdy.

Needless to say, I was getting excited.

Before Purdy was selected by the 49ers in the 2022 NFL Draft, I said, “He reminds me of Rich Gannon.” Gannon was a former NFL QB and 2002 NFL MVP.

But then Hoover’s game film kept playing, and I found myself becoming increasingly disinterested.

What happened?

In 12-regular season games for TCU last season, Hoover threw 13 interceptions and I chicken-scratched another 25 pass breakups in my notes (2.08 per-game-average).

While those numbers are concerning, that’s not what really got me.

What bothered me most was he never should’ve thrown a good number of those passes in the first place.

They never had a chance.

They were really bad throwing decisions.

Inconsistent throwing mechanics

That’s what was driving a lot of his errant throws.

Hoover’s right leg and right foot are all over the place, and he depends on his natural arm strength too much. He was overdependent on his upper body and his natural arm strength when releasing the ball downfield. He tried to aim and steer his throws.

What was the result?

Average ball placement.

Even his short throws weren’t slam dunks, and it got worse when he opened it up and went deep. On passes traveling 20+ air yards, I notated him hitting 16/48 (33.3%). In my experience, that’s on the lower side. He tended to overthrow a lot of those deep misses.

Why?

Because of that funky footwork.

Gravitates toward holding the ball too long and getting out of structure

One of the most encouraging parts of Hoover’s game is his time to throw. Per Pro Football Focus, Hoover had an overall time to throw of 2.56 seconds last season. That in itself is good. Really good. There is a real premium put on NFL quarterbacks who can make quicker throwing decisions.

Hoover is at his best when he is decisive.

However, he has a proclivity to hold the ball too long and try to “make things happen.”

Hoover’s main strengths

• Very Competitive (never gives up)
• High energy
• Leads the offense with quicker and more urgent tempo
• No fear
• Athletic
• Spreads the ball around
• Some improv

NFL crystal ball

I’m sure Hoover will get some more draft love at No. 6 Indiana (defending National Champs) than had he stayed put at TCU. But that’s just a trap.

It’s important to stay focused on the prospect as an NFL projection, and not get caught up in him just playing on a higher-ranked team.

On his 2025 game film⎯

Hoover looks like a borderline third-string/practice squad NFL quarterback. NFL starters and No.2s need to be able to run the plays that are called and protect the football.

That’s not this guy.

#10 Josh Hoover 6-foot-2 200 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Summer Grade: Fifth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Fifth-Round prospect as of August 24, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: North Carolina, Abilene Christian, SMU, ASU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, West Virginia, Iowa State, BYU, Houston, and Cincinnati (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Raw gunslinger. Operates mostly out of shotgun formation. Clapping cadence. Handful of snaps under center. Confident. Active. Alert. In command. Even tempo. Solid behind the line of scrimmage mobility. Decent rolling out left or right. Some escapability when the pocket heats up. Can also get swallowed by the pass rush (2025: 18 sacks). Tends to fold when the pass rush is on top of him. Pats ball. Compact delivery. Tight spiral. Throws with below-average to above-average anticipation. Best and most comfortable route is the inside slant at the short-to-intermediate route level (0-19 yards). Drives the ball downfield. Gets a little too fancy at times. Inconsistent throwing process. Slight tendency to fumble. Average job at protecting his body as a runner (2025: 55 carries).

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Decision-making?

2. Ball security?

3. Deep passing game?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.