It seems destiny had a hand in Fernando Mendoza joining Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers this past offseason. The connection was already there with his younger brother, Alberto, on the team, making the fit feel just right.
Mendoza revealed this intriguing tidbit during his appearance on The Ticket Sports Radio. Interestingly, Georgia was also in the mix for Mendoza's talents.
As he weighed his options between Georgia and Indiana after leaving Cal, Mendoza found himself torn. Both programs offered incredible opportunities.
"It really came down to Indiana and Georgia," Mendoza shared. "Kirby Smart is a phenomenal recruiter and coach, and Georgia was on the brink of a national championship.
It was a tough choice, a win-win situation, and I was truly conflicted."
Mendoza even attempted to call Kirby Smart to commit to Georgia, but fate intervened when the call didn't go through. "I was about to commit to Georgia, but the call didn’t connect. I decided to sleep on it, and I believe that was divine intervention."
His decision to join Indiana turned out to be monumental. Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 season, becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in the program's history and guiding Indiana to its first-ever national title. Meanwhile, Georgia found success with their own standout quarterback, Gunner Stockton, but Mendoza's trajectory has him poised to be the No. 1 overall pick.
While Georgia fans might have mixed feelings, Indiana fans are surely celebrating. Mendoza's journey from Cal to Indiana is a testament to finding the right fit. Although Cal missed out on a future star, they now look to rebuild under new leadership with Tosh Lupoi.
Georgia shouldn't be faulted for missing out on Mendoza. It was his choice to commit to Indiana, a decision that paid off in historic fashion. Adding another layer to the story, Alberto Mendoza transferred to Georgia Tech, adding a family rivalry twist, especially given their Miami roots.
Ultimately, Fernando Mendoza found the perfect situation at Indiana, capitalizing on every opportunity. His and his teammates' achievements will be remembered in college football history.
Despite not having the flashiest stats, Mendoza's consistency and undefeated record at IU speak volumes. How often do you see a player go unbeaten in their college career?