Fernando Mendoza just added another highlight to what’s already been a breakout season - and this one’s off the field. The Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender announced Monday that he’s signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Adidas, making him the latest college football star to join the global sportswear brand’s growing roster.
True to form, Mendoza broke the news on LinkedIn - a platform he’s used regularly to share his journey as both a student-athlete and a rising star in college football. The timing of the deal couldn’t be more fitting.
Mendoza is fresh off leading No. 2 Indiana to a perfect 12-0 regular season, a historic run that has the Hoosiers in position to make serious noise in the postseason.
Mendoza’s numbers this year speak for themselves. He’s thrown for an FBS-best 32 touchdowns against just five interceptions, completing 72.0% of his passes - a mark of elite efficiency that’s helped vault him into the heart of the Heisman conversation. Whether it’s been threading tight windows or commanding the offense with poise beyond his years, Mendoza has looked every bit the part of a next-level quarterback.
Now, he’s also the newest face of Adidas Football.
The junior joins a growing list of college athletes backed by the brand, including Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Adidas has been aggressive in its NIL strategy, targeting some of the most promising young talents in the game. Recent signees have included players who’ve already made the leap to the NFL, like Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, and Jaguars star Travis Hunter, who continues to make waves as a rare two-way player.
At the pro level, Adidas’ football roster is headlined by none other than Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback recently re-upped his deal with the brand, further solidifying his role as the face of Adidas Football.
Other NFL stars under the Adidas banner include Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Jets wideout Garrett Wilson, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Packers defensive end Micah Parsons.
For Mendoza, the partnership is another sign of his rising profile - both as a player and a brand in his own right. He’ll lead the Adidas-sponsored Hoosiers into the Big Ten Championship on December 6, where they’ll face top-ranked Ohio State in a clash that has major College Football Playoff implications.
If Mendoza can deliver once again on the biggest stage, his stock - on and off the field - will only keep climbing.