Fernando Mendoza just wrapped up one of the most legendary seasons in Indiana football history - and that’s not hyperbole. The junior quarterback didn’t just win games; he rewrote the Hoosiers' script entirely.
Under head coach Curt Cignetti, in just his second year at the helm, Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season, capped off by a 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship. That win, in Miami’s own backyard at Hard Rock Stadium, was the exclamation point on a campaign that earned Mendoza the Heisman Trophy and cemented his legacy in Bloomington.
It was a storybook ending - or maybe just the beginning - for a quarterback who elevated not just his own game, but the entire program. And while the on-field brilliance was undeniable, what happened off the field after that title run has sparked just as much conversation.
As Mendoza now prepares for the NFL Draft, reports have surfaced that he gave serious thought to running it back for one more year with the Hoosiers. And not just for the love of the game - we’re talking about a jaw-dropping $39 million offer from Indiana alum and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Yes, $39 million. That’s the kind of number that doesn’t just raise eyebrows; it resets the entire conversation about college athletes and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) power.
Cuban, a longtime supporter of Indiana athletics, reportedly made the offer in an effort to keep Mendoza in the crimson and cream for one more season. But in the end, Mendoza said no. He’s betting on himself and heading to the NFL.
The move sparked plenty of reactions, including from former Miami Hurricane and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who was in attendance for the title game. Irvin, known for his passionate takes, didn’t hold back when asked about Mendoza’s decision.
“Mind-blowing in a lot of ways,” Irvin said of the reported offer. He went on to say that unlike most NIL deals, this kind of money would truly “move the number” - in other words, it’s the type of offer that could’ve changed the equation for just about any college athlete.
Irvin didn’t stop there. He acknowledged that Mendoza had every right to make his own decision - “it’s his own life,” he said - but still questioned the logic behind turning down that kind of money. “In the NFL, we would call that… that’s a bad move, man,” Irvin added.
He even suggested that some might view the decision as “selfish,” not in a malicious way, but in the sense that Mendoza’s return could’ve benefited the entire Indiana program and the broader college football landscape. “We’re competing against one another,” Irvin said, “but we’re also competing for one another.”
Whether you agree or not, it’s clear that Mendoza’s choice has sparked a broader conversation about the evolving landscape of college football. NIL money is no longer just a side hustle - it’s a legitimate factor in career decisions, and Mendoza’s situation might be the clearest example yet of how far things have come.
Still, let’s not lose sight of what Mendoza accomplished on the field. He threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2025, numbers that speak to his poise, arm talent, and command of the offense.
He didn’t just manage games - he took them over. That kind of production, combined with his leadership and championship pedigree, has made him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft class.
Word is, the Raiders are eyeing him closely.
And if that’s the case, Mendoza could be stepping into a situation where he’s asked to lead early. He’s already shown he can handle the pressure - now it’s about doing it at the next level. One thing’s for sure: wherever he lands, all eyes will be on him.
So while Indiana fans might be left wondering what could’ve been with one more year of Mendoza magic, the rest of the football world is about to find out what this kid can do on Sundays. And if his college career was any indication, the NFL better be ready.