Indiana won with Hoosiers who stayed and those who returned

Indiana completed a 16-0 season with a 27-21 CFP championship win, and the roster combined incoming transfers with players who remained through a coaching change or later returned.

Indiana capped a 16-0 season by beating Miami, 27-21, to win the 2025 College Football Playoff championship in Miami. The roster blended incoming transfers with players who stayed through a coaching change or who later returned via the transfer portal. Coach Curt Cignetti had brought 13 players from James Madison; seven of those players were on the roster for the title game. The season’s storyline included a Heisman Trophy-winning transfer and long-time Hoosiers who endured losing years before the turnaround. Key details: - Indiana finished 16-0 and defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 to claim the 2025 CFP championship. - Coach Curt Cignetti brought 13 players from James Madison; seven were on the roster for the title game. - Quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferred from California and is reported as the Heisman Trophy winner who delivered a decisive touchdown in the title game. - Several players who remained at Indiana or later returned through the portal were starters or key contributors, including Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Jones, Kahlil Benson and Louis Moore. - The program had suffered three consecutive losing seasons (a combined 9-27 record) before the coaching change that preceded Cignetti’s hiring. - Defensive back Bryson Bonds tore his patella tendon in the first half of the season opener and remained with the program as a long-time holdover. Summary: The championship reflected contributions from both transfer additions and players who stayed or returned, with multiple individuals playing key roles in Indiana’s 16-0 run. Undetermined at this time.