Tag: Fernando Mendoza

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.

“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.

“He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”

Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.

“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”

Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (QB11) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Raiders draft new centerpiece QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, confident the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion just keeps winning.

The 22-year-old becomes the centerpiece of a franchise rebuild following his own meteoric rise, culminating in the Hoosiers claiming a football national title for the first time in program history.

Las Vegas went 3-14 last season and fired Pete Carroll as head coach, which prompted a change at quarterback under first-time head coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders traded starter Geno Smith to the Jets and signed Kirk Cousins to bridge any potential gap for Mendoza to be deemed ready for the QB1 role.

General manager John Spytek and Kubiak said their “perfect world” would allow for Mendoza to be worked into the starting role gradually. Considered a cerebral field general more than a physical freak or elite specimen at quarterback, Mendoza has already openly discussed the presence of a priceless sounding board in Las Vegas: minority franchise owner Tom Brady. He read the “TB12 Method” book before the NFL Scouting Combine in preparation for a potential interaction with Brady.

That didn’t come until he took his official team visit to meet the team’s top brass.

“Everything that he’s all about is something that I’ve always emulated as a football player,” Mendoza said in February. “And anything the coaching staff has as coaching points, like, ‘Hey Fernando, we need you to get better at this, this and that,’ I’m gonna be like, ‘Hey Tom, how do I get better at this, this and that?’ If I get selected by Mr. Spytek and the Raiders, if that does happen, it’d be a great opportunity.”

Mendoza is the first No. 1 pick for the Raiders since drafting LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007. The Raiders haven’t won a postseason game since the 2002 playoffs and have earned only two trips (2016, 2021) since losing Super Bowl XXXVII to the Buccaneers. The Raiders also last won the AFC West division in 2002.

All of the losses have placed the Raiders in position to stock the roster with blue-chip talent in the draft. Tight end Brock Bowers (13th pick, 2024) made a record-setting splash in his first season with 112 catches for 1,194 yards. Running back Ashton Jeanty (sixth overall pick, 2025) had 10 touchdowns last season despite being an easy target behind a ragtag offensive line.

Spytek insists a 180 turn by the Raiders from 3-14 in 2025 won’t be about one player or position. Las Vegas entered Thursday with 10 total draft picks and was next slated to pick at No. 36 overall, the fourth pick in the second round on Friday.

The Raiders have numerous position needs after averaging 14.2 points and allowing 25.4 points per game in 2025. The climb can be steep. As a team, the Raiders scored 40 fewer touchdowns (25) than the Rams. But the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are living testaments to what a franchise-caliber quarterback can bring to a team.

The Commanders selected Jayden Daniels in 2024 and advanced to the NFC Championship during his rookie season. New England was in the Super Bowl in February with Drake Maye, the quarterback drafted one spot after Daniels, playing at an MVP level in a rapid rebuild.

Mendoza had 41 touchdown passes and six interceptions for Indiana last season, completing 72% of his passes to post a perfect 16-0 record not many outside the program saw coming. Indiana entered the season with the most losses in FBS history (715).

Overlooked coming out of high school, Mendoza didn’t get recruited by Miami — the team Indiana beat in the national championship game — despite growing up about a mile from campus and leading Columbus High to a state title in 2019. He wound up at Cal and played for the Bears for two years before transferring to Indiana.

“He had a lot of success last year,” Kubiak said of his early impressions of Mendoza. “He won a national championship, and that’s what you want. You want a winner.”

Mendoza, dressed in a black suit and silver tie, witnessed the selection surrounded by friends and family rather than attending the draft in Pittsburgh, opting to make the occasion all about those responsible for helping him make the dream sequence a reality. He thanked his mom, Elsa Mendoza, for being his biggest supporter during the Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in December. Elsa Mendoza is battling multiple sclerosis and the Mendoza family was more comfortable sharing the moment in Miami.

Mendoza revealed Thursday afternoon he was launching the Mendoza Family Fund — a charitable fund in partnership with the National MS Society — to raise money to fight MS. Mendoza announced he contributed a personal $500,000 donation.

–Field Level Media

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Report: Fernando Mendoza not planning to attend NFL draft

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Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 overall pick, informed the league that he is not planning to attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh later this month, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Per the report, the Indiana quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami.

The Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the top pick in the draft on April 23-25, will be hosting Mendoza on Tuesday, per NFL Network.

The last time a No. 1 overall pick — that was a quarterback — did not attend the NFL draft was in 2021, when Trevor Lawrence was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Clemson.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza shows NFL skills for Raiders, others at pro day

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fernando Mendoza changed his LinkedIn status to “Open to Work” in January, and the Indiana quarterback proved he is taking this professional football thing seriously at the Hoosiers’ pro day on Wednesday.

Most general managers and scouts downplay the meaning of pro day workouts as the culmination of a finely rehearsed routine, especially for quarterback prospects. But Mendoza delivered by putting the ball right on the money on repeat Wednesday, when he showed up bigger, stronger and faster than he was a few months ago when he declared for the draft.

Mendoza said he appreciated the audience but is keeping his focus on being ready to take the field in September.

“I’m trying to be the best me possible. Whatever team picks me, you only need one team to believe in you,” Mendoza said. “Whether I’m the first pick or the last pick, I’m trying to be the best quarterback possible in September.”

The Raiders are not hiding their affinity for Mendoza. They’ve met with the quarterback twice before Wednesday, when another formal sitdown was on Mendoza’s calendar.

The meeting Wednesday followed a Zoom meeting and their first encounter, a formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

At least 10 members of the organization were present on Wednesday afternoon, all but solidifying Mendoza’s name will be called when Las Vegas makes the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh later this month.

The 20-minute workout included a total of 56 throws. He completed 53.

“I think the main goal today was to serve my teammates,” said Mendoza, who declined a workout at the NFL Scouting Combine to bring more scouts to the campus workout and share the spotlight with his IU brethren. “I think I was able to do that. Be able to put them in position to be able to make plays.”

Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak were locked on the proceedings from start to finish.

Mendoza weighed 236 pounds — 11 pounds heavier than his playing weight in the national championship game — and the Heisman Trophy winner didn’t show any signs of resting on his college credentials or trophy case.

Other than one overthrow on a 60-yard missile to Elijah Sarratt, Mendoza made all the throws scouts wanted to see and then some. His dart to EJ Williams was released from the other 40-yard line and caught in stride at the 6, drawing an audible reaction from observers encircling the field at Indiana’s indoor practice facility.

Mendoza’s Indiana teammates weren’t entirely overshadowed.

Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was clocked at 4.31 in the 40-yard dash. At the combine, he only participated in jump tests and registered a 43 1/2-inch vertical.

Running back Roman Hemby, who said he began training for the draft the day after the national championship game, said he wants to get to the NFL and stay there, and he feels he owes a debt of gratitude to Mendoza.

“That’s a guy that’s a great leader, a great person,” Hemby said. “He doesn’t have to do some of the things he does. He wanted to go out there and showcase the guys. That shows the type of person he is. That’s why we love him.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek at press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders GM keeping Maxx Crosby, eager to meet with Fernando Mendoza

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek is spinning a lot of plates at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where the franchise gets a first-hand look at 319 candidates to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

The Raiders haven’t had the No. 1 pick since 2007 when they selected LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

What is Spytek looking for as the Raiders rebuild a roster that finished a league-worst 3-14 in 2026?

“All of it. We won three games last year,” Spytek said. “We’ve got to be super honest with where we’re at. We’ve got a lot of needs to address and a lot of capital to do it.”

Spytek shot down reports the Raiders are leaning toward trading 29-year-old defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby was disgruntled at the end of the regular season when the Raiders held him out because he was banged up. Crosby considered himself healthy.

After a coaching change with Klint Kubiak replacing Pete Carroll, Spytek said Tuesday he is confident Crosby will not be traded.

“I am. Maxx is an elite player and I’ve been very up front from the start when I got here. It’s hard to build a great team without elite players. Maxx and I have a great relationship. We talk all the time. We text, talk on the phone. He’s in the building everyday.”

The Raiders also are not “shopping” the No. 1 pick in the draft. But Spytek said he learned from his time with Howie Roseman in Philadelphia and Jason Licht in Tampa Bay that “you always listen.”

Without specifically naming Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Spytek said the Raiders are interested in quarterbacks who have “passion, humility and prepare for the game the right way.” He was in-person for multiple Indiana games in 2025 and attended the national championship game. NFL personnel is not allowed to talk to college players, so Spytek is interested in learning more about Mendoza and the other quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class.

“How they are going to handle the pressure of being 1 of 32 in the world,” Spytek said of the most critical evaluation of the position. “To us it’s about how much can they process, how hard do they work, how much do they remember.”

Spytek said he’s “not necessarily in favor of running out” a rookie quarterback right away. Having a veteran — Geno Smith is under contract, Kenny Pickett is a free agent — sounding board who might play ahead of the prized passer is a priority. He said the 18-minute formal interviews this week at the combine will be important to determine “leadership traits, humility” but later sessions with prospects are more vital in making his final decision.

He’s also willing to lean on minority owner Tom Brady, who is playing a significant role in shaping the rebuild of the Raiders.

“He’s the best ever to do it,” Spytek said. “Whoever is playing quarterback for the Raiders has a great opportunity to learn from Tom. Tom is a great resource for them.”

–Field Level Media

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) talks to the crowd on the podium after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza declares for 2026 NFL Draft

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza announced Friday morning that he is bypassing his senior season and entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

The university’s first Heisman Trophy winner effectively put himself in position to be selected with the top overall pick of the draft after announcing his decision in a video on his Instagram account. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the top pick.

“Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith, a leap that led me to go 16-0 with my boys and a national championship,” Mendoza said. “And has now led me here, the moment where I get to dream bigger. … With trust in my foundation and gratitude for every person that has helped me reach this moment. I’m ready to take the next step.

“My LinkedIn status is now, open to work, and I’m officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores.

–Field Level Media

Peach Bowl places top QBs under pre-draft microscope

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Tune into the Peach Bowl if you are a fan of good, old fashioned quarterback competition.

Long since settled as starting quarterbacks, Oregon’s Dante Moore and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza of No. 1 Indiana are showcase attractions in the spotlight College Football Playoff semifinal in Atlanta on Friday night.

Squaring off for the second time this season — Round 1 went to Mendoza and the Hoosiers in a turning-point win — it won’t be the final time for a tale of the tape between the 20-year-old Moore and 22-year-old Mendoza.

Win or lose Friday, fans and armchair roster-building pundits will be measuring these quarterbacks by trait and every measurable comparison and contrasting skill all the way up until the Las Vegas Raiders call out the name of the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Beating a great team twice is extremely difficult. They’re star studded on both offense and defense,” Mendoza said on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “Draft picks all across the board. Having to play them twice is going to be tough. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.”

Score the first few rounds to Mendoza, a transfer to Indiana from Cal who faced Moore during his UCLA cameo. The Hoosiers topped Oregon, 30-20, when they met at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Oct. 11.

“I gotta give Fernando his credit. He’s had a hell of a year. He’s had some great years,” Moore said. “This is our third time playing against each other. He’s somebody that works his tail off. Very smart quarterback, talented quarterback.”

Field Level Media rates Moore as the No. 2 quarterback in the draft behind Mendoza, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson — who lost to Mendoza at the Rose Bowl last week and entered the draft on Wednesday — on their heels.

Moore downplayed the looming stay-or-go call he’ll face when Oregon’s season ends. He said the difference this week from when he left UCLA for Oregon was his destination was a choice he had made long before entering the transfer portal.

“At the end of the day, when I started football at four years old, everybody’s goal is get into the National Football League,” Moore said. Yeah, there’s going to be all these things going on. I’m human. I see it on social media. But I told myself that I shouldn’t be engaged with it, because if I do, I’m thinking about myself and I’m not thinking about the 10 other guys on the field with me. So I gotta make sure I give them my 100 percent love and attention, because without them I wouldn’t be in the situation I am now. So I’m thankful for my teammates, and it’s going to be a great game. And when I see Fernando again and we talk after the game, whenever we do, I’m just glad I got to play against him.”

Former NFL coach Bruce Arians, who coached Peyton Manning and Tom Brady during his extensive offensive coaching career, recently likened Mendoza to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Brady, a driving force of the Raiders’ offseason as a minority owner, praised Mendoza’s ability to “think the game” and anticipate adjustments from defenses.

Mendoza leads the FBS with 36 touchdown passes and threw six interceptions. He also had six rushing touchdowns.

There will be troops in the Moore camp if he decides not to return to Oregon because of his easy arm strength and feel for the pocket.

Moore threw two interceptions and was sacked six times in the first matchup with Indiana this season.

–Field Level Media

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza wins program’s first Heisman Trophy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza added another highlight to the Hoosiers’ special 2025 season when he became the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner Saturday night in New York.

Mendoza, a three-star prospect out of Miami, Fla., in the 2022 recruiting class who transferred from Cal to Indiana after the 2024 season, beat out his fellow finalists — Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin — for the prestigious honor.

“I’m at a loss for words. Thank you to everybody,” Mendoza said to begin an emotional six-minute acceptance speech. “I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt a world away. Standing here tonight, holding this (trophy), representing Indiana University still doesn’t feel real.

“If you told me as a kid in Miami that I’d be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I probably would have laughed, cried like I’m doing now or both. Because this moment, it’s an honor. It’s bigger than me. It’s a product of a family, team, community and a whole bunch of people who believed in me long before anybody knew my name.”

Mendoza received 643 of the 930 first-place votes, finishing with 2,362 points, well ahead of Pavia, who received 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points. Love had 46 first-place votes and finished in third place (719 points) and Sayin finished in fourth with 432 points and eight first-place votes.

With Mendoza at the helm, the Hoosiers followed up a 12-0 regular season with a 13-10 win over Ohio State last week in the Big Ten Championship game to win the program’s first Big Ten title since sharing it in 1967 and earn the No. 1 overall seed heading into the College Football Playoff.

Mendoza threw a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes this season, completing 226 of 316 passes (71.5%, sixth nationally) for 2,980 yards with just six interceptions. He also ran for 240 yards and six touchdowns.

His signature game of the season was probably his five-touchdown showing in Indiana’s 63-10 rout of then-No. 9 Illinois back on Sept. 20. He completed 21 of 23 passes (91.3%) for 267 yards.

In the Big Ten Championship game, he outdueled Sayin and beat the No. 2 Buckeyes while the other two finalists were not playing games, completing 15 of 23 passes (65.2%) for 222 yards, including a game-winning 17-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt in the third quarter, and an interception.

While Mendoza was the one holding the trophy, he proclaimed his Heisman belongs to the entire Indiana team.

“This is our trophy. I love you guys more than you know,” Mendoza said. “To my linemen who protected me, every receiver and tight end that bailed me out and made me look good, to every running back who fought for more yards and to our defense that gave us that heart, swagger and more second chances that we definitely deserved.

“This trophy might have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you, it belongs, for the first time, in Bloomington. Playing in front of Hoosier Nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life and I’ll carry that forever.”

Mendoza’s lone season at Indiana may have been even more special because he was playing alongside his brother, Alberto, who was his backup quarterback, completing 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards, five touchdowns and one pick.

“My lifelong teammate, Alberto, my brother, my closest confidant, the one I trust more than anybody to get through a tough day, tough play, tough game, I love you, bro. Thank you for always giving it to me straight no matter the circumstance,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza also won the Maxwell (best overall player) and Davey O’Brien (best quarterback) awards Friday night, perhaps foreshadowing the honor which would be bestowed on him Saturday.

He’s the first Cuban-American Heisman winner and just the second of hispanic descent, joining Jim Plunkett.

Mendoza was just the second Heisman Award finalist in Indiana football history, which dates back to 1899. He joins running back Anthony Thompson, who was the 1989 Heisman runner-up.

–Field Level Media

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza headlines college football award winners

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza turned the 2025 College Football Awards ceremony into his own highlight reel Friday, sweeping the Maxwell Award for most outstanding player and the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback.

Mendoza piloted the Hoosiers to a 13-0 season, a Big Ten title and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

The Cal transfer shattered Indiana’s single-season passing touchdown mark with 33, completing 71.5% of his throws for 2,980 yards against six interceptions, and added 240 rushing yards with six scores. He beat out Notre Dame running Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin for the Maxwell, and topped Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed and Sayin for the O’Brien.

USC’s Makai Lemon claimed the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012. Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, stringing together four 150-plus yard games (tied for most in FBS). UConn’s Skyler Bell and Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State were the other finalists.

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez edged a loaded field for the Chuck Bednarik Award as college football’s best defensive player. The Red Raiders star stacked 117 tackles, including 11 for loss, four interceptions and a sack in 13 games to hold off finalists Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) for the award. Rodriguez also won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker.

At running back, Notre Dame’s Love delivered the program’s first Doak Walker Award. Love churned out 1,372 rushing yards (6.9 per carry) and 18 touchdowns, adding 280 receiving yards and three more scores. Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy rounded out the finalists.

Indiana’s renaissance doubled down with Curt Cignetti repeating as Coach of the Year. Cignetti’s Hoosiers snapped a 32-game skid vs. Ohio State to win their first Big Ten crown in 58 years and secure the CFP’s top seed.

Several other marquee honors were awarded on the night. Utah’s Spencer Fano captured the Outland Trophy as best interior lineman after not allowing a sack this season; Iowa’s Logan Jones and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald were finalists. Jones edged out Florida’s Jake Slaughter and Iapani Laloulu of Oregon for the Rimington Trophy as college football’s best center. Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers claimed the John Mackey Award as the top tight end after catching 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns, ahead of Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Baylor’s Michael Trigg.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award for top defensive back with 60 tackles, five TFLs, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a sack, beating LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore. Georgia’s Brett Thorson took the Ray Guy Award (best punter) over Troy’s Evan Crenshaw and Baylor’s Palmer Williams, averaging 45.2 yards per boot. Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell earned the Lou Groza Award (best kicker) after going 23-for-24 on field goals and a perfect 32-for-32 on extra points, topping Georgia Tech’s Aidan Birr and Hawaii’s Kansei Matsuzawa.

With Mendoza headlining the haul, and Cignetti taking top coaching honors for a second straight year, Indiana’s storybook climb has the individual hardware to match. The Heisman awaits, with Mendoza joined by Love, Sayin and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia as the finalists, with the award being handed out Saturday night in New York.

Award winners:
Maxwell: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Davey O’Brien: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
Biletnikoff: USC WR Makai Lemon
Bednarik: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Butkus: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Doak Walker: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Mackey: Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
Outland: Utah RT Spencer Fano
Rimington: Iowa C Logan Jones
Thorpe: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
Ray Guy: Georgia P Brett Thorson
Lou Groza: Oklahoma K Tate Sandell
Coach: Indiana’s Curt Cignetti

–Field Level Media

Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza handling Heisman hysteria with perfection

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza gave up trying to escape the whirlwind he helped create by marching the Hoosiers right back into playoff position with an undefeated regular season on pause during a bye this week.

Mendoza, a transfer from Cal who took over for Kurtis Rourke at Indiana this season, is viewed as a near-certain Heisman Trophy finalist for steering the Hoosiers to an 11-0 start and perfect, 8-0 Big Ten record with only the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket — a traditional rivalry game with state and conference rival Purdue — before a chance to play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis on Dec. 6.

“I never thought I’d be in this moment at this point,” Mendoza said Wednesday.

Indiana is No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 1 Ohio State has a chance to pull even with the Hoosiers at 11-0 overall entering the final week of the regular season. The Buckeyes still have to tackle a massive hurdle. Their annual showdown with No. 18 Michigan (8-2) on Nov. 29 could cause the conference standings and playoff rankings to shuffle.

Mendoza’s final regular-season game of the season at Purdue might not set up as stress-free, but the Boilermarkers are winless in the Big Ten (0-8) and have lost nine consecutive games.

With the Hoosiers out of their usual routine this week during a bye, Mendoza said he’s listening to common advice from elders and previous Heisman winners who told him to enjoy the ride.

“I was able to talk to Matt Leinart a couple of weeks ago, and he’s a Heisman Trophy winner, fantastic quarterback, and has a great TV personality,” Mendoza said. “His advice was similar to what I got from a lot of the others, but it really stuck with me is this only happens once — unless you’re Tim Tebow. But a lot of people only go through this once, and they end up heading to the NFL or just things happen. Just enjoy it. Take the present moment in.”

Mendoza has 30 TD passes and five interceptions with five rushing touchdowns in 11 games. Indiana has outscored opponents 476-128 this season and given up only 55 total second-half points. Suffice it to say Mendoza hasn’t had to escape high-pressure moments to reach his seat in the Heisman and national championship conversations.

He does have a win at Oregon and threw a pinpoint game-winning touchdown pass at Penn State to preserve Indiana’s road to perfection with a 27-24 victory two weeks ago.

The cool and collected Mendoza, whose brother Alberto is a freshman backup quarterback on the Indiana roster, credits his unflinchingly positive demeanor to backyard ball and stress tests against his younger sibling.

“We’d make up high-pressure situations, whether it was University of Miami versus University of Florida in the National Championship or the Patriots versus the Dolphins. Whatever the situation was, it was a high-pressure situation,” Fernando Mendoza said. “I know it’s really helped my game about — I know it sounds silly because it’s in the backyard and it’s not actual schematic football, but I think it’s helped myself a lot throughout my journey.”

NFL pundits are standing up to take notice of Mendoza’s rise. He’s projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Fringe college football fans or anyone who didn’t catch Cal in 2024 might not know Mendoza was a two-year starter who has long since erased his modest recruiting ranking — two whole stars. But Fernando Mendoza says he’s nowhere near a finished product.

“I wouldn’t say this is the pinnacle of my career by any chance. I think I still have a long way to go. I still think I’m a raw quarterback prospect. However, it’s been great to be part of this opportunity,” Mendoza said.

“At a young age, I didn’t have a … crystal ball. I wasn’t this young prodigy, who was a five star coming out of high school or the next big thing, but I would say I’m just so grateful to be in the position that I am right now. I just can’t thank the support staff I have around myself enough and can’t thank the Lord enough.”

–Field Level Media