Indiana QB Returns to Roster After Year as Coaching Assistant

Tyler Cherry will rejoin the Hoosiers' quarterback room after spending 2025 season rehabbing an injury and serving in a coaching role.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Indiana football quarterback Tyler Cherry has returned to the team's roster after spending the 2025 season as a coaching assistant while recovering from a knee injury. Cherry, a redshirt freshman, will now compete for playing time in the Hoosiers' quarterback room alongside projected starter Josh Hoover and other returning players.

Why it matters

Cherry's return is a boost for Indiana's quarterback depth as the team looks to build on its successful 2024 campaign that included a Peach Bowl victory. His experience as a coaching assistant last season could provide valuable insight, and his rehabilitation from injury will be closely watched as he aims to earn playing time.

The details

Cherry enrolled at Indiana in 2024 and appeared in one game as a true freshman before suffering a season-ending knee injury prior to the 2025 campaign. Rather than occupying a roster spot while rehabbing, the Hoosiers allowed Cherry to serve in a "coaching-type role" on the sidelines, where he offered additional insight on coverages and game management. Now fully recovered, Cherry will compete with TCU transfer Josh Hoover and others for the starting quarterback job.

  • Cherry suffered the knee injury in the lead-up to Indiana's College Football Playoff game against Notre Dame in December 2024.
  • Cherry spent the entire 2025 season as a coaching assistant for the Hoosiers.

The players

Tyler Cherry

A redshirt freshman quarterback who returns to Indiana's roster after spending the 2025 season as a coaching assistant while recovering from a knee injury.

Josh Hoover

The projected starting quarterback for Indiana in 2026 after transferring from TCU.

Chandler Whitmer

Indiana's former quarterbacks coach who discussed Cherry's coaching role in 2025 before leaving to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tino Sunseri

Indiana's new quarterbacks coach, who previously held the same position when Cherry committed to the Hoosiers in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“Just kind of using a separate set of eyes and helps on gamedays. Just kind of tracking coverages on the sideline. Just give him some things to do, to stay connected and involved. It's been great.”

— Chandler Whitmer, Former Indiana Quarterbacks Coach (Indiana Hoosiers On SI)

What’s next

Cherry will compete for playing time in Indiana's quarterback room this spring, with the goal of earning a spot in the rotation behind projected starter Josh Hoover.

The takeaway

Cherry's return to the active roster after a year spent in a coaching role demonstrates Indiana's commitment to developing its young talent and providing opportunities for players to contribute in different ways when faced with injury setbacks.