Alberto Mendoza Transfers to Georgia Tech After Indiana Title Run, Adding Key Quarterback to Yellow Jackets Rebuild

Georgia Tech secured a significant transfer portal addition Tuesday as former Indiana quarterback Alberto Mendoza announced he has signed with the Yellow Jackets following the Hoosiers national championship season.

Mendoza entered the NCAA transfer portal one day after Indiana’s 27 to 21 College Football Playoff title victory over Miami and quickly committed to Georgia Tech after an immediate visit. The move addresses a major roster need for the Yellow Jackets as they prepare for life after longtime starter Haynes King.

A 6ft 2, 207 pound redshirt freshman, Mendoza appeared in nine games during Indiana’s 16 and 0 championship run, primarily in lopsided victories. He completed 75 percent of his passes for 286 yards, rushed for 190 yards, and accounted for six total touchdowns with one interception. He played 102 total snaps on the season, including nine snaps in Indiana’s 38 to 3 CFP quarterfinal win over Alabama at the Rose Bowl. Mendoza did not appear in the national championship game.

Mendoza arrives in Atlanta with three years of eligibility remaining and joins a Georgia Tech program undergoing a quarterback transition. King, a senior and first team All ACC selection, started 36 games for the Yellow Jackets and finished his career with 10,181 total yards and 91 total touchdowns. His departure leaves a significant production gap in an offense that leaned heavily on quarterback run and play action efficiency.

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner were still searching for an experienced option after King’s top backup Aaron Philo transferred to Florida. Mendoza is expected to compete with redshirt sophomore Graham Knowles, redshirt freshman Grady Adamson, and incoming freshman Cole Bergeron during spring and fall camp as Georgia Tech reshapes its depth chart.

Mendoza’s exit from Indiana was widely anticipated after the Hoosiers signed TCU transfer Josh Hoover earlier this month. Hoover was ranked as the No. 6 transfer quarterback nationally and is expected to compete for the starting role as Indiana defends its championship under head coach Curt Cignetti.

The timing of the move also reflects the expanded College Football Playoff calendar. Indiana and Miami players have until Jan. 24 to enter the transfer portal following the conclusion of their season. Mendoza took advantage of that window quickly, securing a landing spot before spring practice preparations begin.

From a broader impact perspective, Mendoza’s transfer underscores the continued acceleration of quarterback movement in the portal era, particularly for young players seeking clearer paths to starting roles. For Georgia Tech, the addition provides a mobile quarterback with game experience from a championship roster and aligns with the program’s recent emphasis on dual threat playmakers.

The next steps will center on offseason competition and development as Georgia Tech evaluates whether Mendoza can translate limited but efficient game action into a larger role. Indiana, meanwhile, closes its historic season with roster turnover expected as the defending national champions transition into the next phase of their program.