Curt Cignetti responds to criticism around Fernando Mendoza ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Even before Indiana won its first-ever national title, the sense was Fernando Mendoza would be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the Heisman Trophy winner has faced some criticism, and IU coach Curt Cignetti responded Wednesday.

Mendoza is widely considered to go to the Las Vegas Raiders atop the draft board later this month. But some, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, wonder whether former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson will have more success at the next level. One of the critiques around Mendoza is the lack of under center snaps at Indiana, though he did that during IU’s Pro Day.

Cignetti, speaking with NFL Network, expressed confidence Mendoza’s skill set will translate to the NFL. While he noted his former quarterback still has plenty to learn, Cignetti sees a bright future at the next level.

“People got to have something about, right?” Cignetti told Rhett Lewis. “There’s a lot of time between the last game of the season and the NFL Draft. People will come up about anything. He’s going to go in there and learn the system, learn the footwork, repetitions and other learning. You learn the most from the games.

“He’s going to be just fine. He’s got to have a supporting cast – he’s got to have time to throw the ball, guys that can separate. It’s a process. Fernando Mendoza will be a great football player one day in the NFL.”

As part of his Heisman Trophy-winning season, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, to just six interceptions. In fact, heading into the national championship, he had more touchdowns than incomplete passes.

Those numbers, along with some intangible plays made along the way, helped Mendoza become what many around the NFL consider to be the top pick in this year’s draft. But speaking after Wednesday’s Pro Day, he admitted there are still areas he can improve – specifically noting the amount of snaps he’ll take under center.

“I’m putting all of my efforts toward just trying to be the best quarterback possible for the season,” Mendoza said, via the AP. “But I know at the next level, there’s going to be a lot more snaps under center, and that’s a big adjustment. I need to get used to that and just the nature of the game. Not only that, the hash [marks] are more condensed and the speed of the game is faster. So, all those things I look forward to learning.”