Fernando Mendoza Embracing the NFL Draft Process with Patience, Preparation, and a Tom Brady Mindset
Fernando Mendoza isn’t rushing the process. The former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback-who turned heads in Bloomington this past season-is taking a measured, intentional approach as he enters the next chapter of his football journey: the NFL Draft.
Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Mendoza opened up about what lies ahead, what he’s working on, and why he’s modeling his mindset after one of the all-time greats.
“I always say with the NFL, I believe my footwork needs to get better,” Mendoza said. “Cuz anticipation at times in the NFL, it's larger than college.
College, you know, you always got to throw it right as they break or before they break. But the NFL, you can't get away with that stuff.”
That’s the kind of self-awareness that scouts love to hear. Mendoza isn’t just dreaming about Sundays-he’s studying them.
He’s already zeroed in on the biggest adjustment most college quarterbacks face at the next level: timing and anticipation. The windows are tighter, the defenses are faster, and the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
For Mendoza, the focus is clear-clean up the footwork, tighten the timing, and trust the process.
He’s already made strides in that area, crediting his growth from his time at Cal to his breakout season at Indiana. That upward trajectory is part of what’s made him an intriguing prospect this draft cycle.
But what really fuels Mendoza’s preparation? A familiar name: Tom Brady.
“As a child, I was always a huge Tom Brady fan. I read the TB12 book,” Mendoza said.
“I was always big on the preparation because, like Tom, I'm not the biggest, I'm not the fastest, I'm not the strongest. But the edge is in the intellect and preparation.”
That quote says a lot. Mendoza knows he’s not going to wow teams with combine measurables or jaw-dropping athleticism.
But he’s betting on his brain-and that’s a bet that’s worked out pretty well for a certain sixth-round pick two decades ago. He’s embracing the cerebral side of quarterbacking: pre-snap reads, protections, checkdowns, situational awareness.
The stuff that separates QBs who survive from those who thrive.
“What’s really important about being quarterback is being cerebral-knowing where to go with the ball, knowing your checks, and all those different external factors that you don't think about when you just think about arm talent and footwork.”
That’s a quarterback who understands the full scope of the job. And if he ends up in Las Vegas-where Brady is now a minority owner of the Raiders-Mendoza could end up learning from his idol in a very real way.
For now, though, Mendoza is staying grounded. He’s not making bold predictions or trying to script his NFL story before it begins. He’s focused on growth, fit, and being ready when his name is called.
“I'm not picking a team for a Super Bowl. I don't want to get in any trouble,” Mendoza joked.
“I just hope it's a good game. And you know, it's kind of funny because now I'm in the real world and actually going to play in the NFL.
So from being an NFL fan, I've got rid of that aspect of my life now because I realized I'm going to be playing for an NFL franchise and organization and I need to give them my all.”
That’s the mindset of a player transitioning from dreamer to professional. The fandom fades, the focus sharpens, and the work begins.
As the NFL world turns its attention to Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, Mendoza is locked in on his own big moment in April. He’s not trying to win the draft process-he’s trying to win in the league. And with a clear-eyed approach, a Brady-like mentality, and a commitment to growth, he’s giving himself a real shot.