Fernando Mendoza Named Inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year After Historic 2025 Season
Las Vegas, Nevada - Fernando Mendoza’s 2025 campaign wasn’t just impressive - it was historic. The Indiana quarterback has officially been named the inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year, an honor that recognizes the most outstanding Hispanic college football player in the country who exemplifies elite performance and integrity. And make no mistake, Mendoza checked every box.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound signal-caller from Miami, Florida, delivered one of the most complete seasons we’ve seen from a Big Ten quarterback in recent memory. Mendoza completed 226 of his 316 pass attempts for 2,980 yards and a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes.
That’s not just efficiency - that’s dominance. And he didn’t just do it through the air.
Mendoza added another 240 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, showcasing the dual-threat ability that made Indiana’s offense one of the most dangerous in the country.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Mendoza was named the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors.
But perhaps most impressively, he led Indiana to a Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State - a statement victory that propelled the Hoosiers to a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. That alone would’ve cemented his legacy in Bloomington.
Add in the national recognition, and Mendoza’s season becomes one for the history books.
The award, presented by the newly established Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, was determined by a selection committee stacked with respected voices in football media and broadcasting. Among them: Sandy Nunez, Judy Battista, Rolando Cantu, Paul Gutierrez, Brandon Huffman, Moises Linares, Alex Marvez, Armando Salguero, and John Sutcliffe - all of whom bring deep insight and a shared commitment to elevating Hispanic excellence in football.
“Fernando Mendoza's historic season represents a defining moment for our community,” said Ron Rivera, HFHOF Founding Board Member. “He performed at the highest level of college football with composure, leadership, and exceptional achievement, qualities that fill the Hispanic community with tremendous pride.”
Anthony Muñoz, another founding board member and one of the most respected figures in football history, echoed that sentiment: “As the first-ever recipient of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year award, Fernando has set a remarkable standard for excellence and cultural pride. His historic 2025 season on college football's biggest stage has made a lasting impact and inspired pride across our entire community.”
Mendoza was selected from a strong list of finalists, each of whom made major contributions to their programs this season. That list included offensive lineman Fernando Carmona (Arkansas), wide receiver KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), quarterback Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), placekicker Gabriel Plascencia (San Diego State), and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech). All six players were recognized as HFHOF College Football All-Americas and will be honored alongside Mendoza at the organization’s Celebración de Fútbol on May 5, 2026 - fittingly, on Cinco de Mayo.
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, which launched earlier this year, is more than just an awards platform. It’s a celebration of culture, perseverance, and the growing impact of Hispanic athletes in football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire the next generation of players and fans alike.
In Mendoza, they’ve found a trailblazer - a quarterback who not only lit up the scoreboard but carried the hopes and pride of a community with him every step of the way. His 2025 season wasn’t just about stats or awards.
It was about legacy. And now, that legacy has a place in history.