Fernando Mendoza is closing in on one of the most remarkable seasons we’ve seen from a college quarterback in recent memory. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner has already carved his name into Indiana football history, and now he’s got a shot to do what no Hoosier team has ever done-bring home a national championship.
Standing in the way? The Miami Hurricanes.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t just about one game. Mendoza’s season has been the stuff of legend, and he’s widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft-a pick currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s a franchise in need of a franchise quarterback, and Mendoza checks just about every box.
What makes Mendoza such a compelling prospect goes far beyond his arm talent and pocket presence. His discipline and drive off the field are just as impressive.
Before he ever took a snap in Bloomington, Mendoza was already setting himself apart. Back in high school at Christopher Columbus in Miami-Dade County, he graduated in 2022 with a jaw-dropping 4.86 GPA.
That’s not a typo. He built a schedule packed with rigorous courses and thrived in them, showing the same kind of preparation and focus that now defines his game on Saturdays.
“He didn’t want to be a dumb jock,” said Sylvie Galvez-Cuesta, director of the Mas Family Program at his high school. That mindset has clearly stuck with him.
Even with the NFL knocking at his door, Mendoza isn’t putting his education on pause. He’s currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at Indiana-balancing elite-level football with graduate-level coursework. That kind of commitment doesn’t just speak to who he is; it also gives NFL teams another reason to believe in his long-term potential.
Earlier in the draft cycle, there was some debate about who might be the top quarterback prospect in 2026. Oregon’s Dante Moore had a strong case. But with Moore now returning for another season in Eugene, Mendoza is the clear-cut favorite to go first overall.
Of course, being the top pick comes with pressure-and history is littered with talented quarterbacks who didn’t pan out at the next level. Names like Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell, and Johnny Manziel come to mind-players who had the tools but lacked the consistency, work ethic, or maturity to succeed in the NFL.
Mendoza seems cut from a different cloth. His intelligence, discipline, and leadership have been evident at every stage of his career. There are no guarantees in professional football, but if you’re the Raiders and you’re looking to build around a quarterback who brings both talent and intangibles, Mendoza looks like the kind of player you can trust to anchor your franchise.
But first, there’s one more chapter to write. Indiana has never won a national title in football.
Mendoza has the Hoosiers on the brink of history. One more win, and he cements his legacy as one of the most important players the program has ever seen.