Elijah Sarratt praises Fernando Mendoza at B1G Media Days: 'He’s a great quarterback'

Fernando Mendoza wasn’t a participant at Big Ten Media Days, but that didn’t stop him from being a topic of conversation.

Elijah Sarratt, as well as Curt Cignetti, had great things to say about the California transfer, as he’s already built relationships during the short amount of time he’s been with Indiana.

“He’s a good dude, he’s a great quarterback,” Sarratt mentioned, adding that Mendoza is “somebody you would want to be around, someone you want to hang out with.”

This was exactly what Indiana was looking for in the portal, as just being a good quarterback on the field doesn’t fit the team’s culture. You have to be committed to the team and the vision of the program.

That’s not to say that Mendoza is just a good off-the-field guy, as he’s more than capable between the white lines. That was evident at his time at Cal, with coach Cignetti mentioning that his play with the Golden Bears played a big role in IU seriously looking at him in the portal.

“I’ve been aware of him. Watched a lot of his Cal tape once he decided to enter the portal. Saw a quarterback that had played a lot of football, a lot of good football. Has size. Has mobility, quick release, good arm. Can extend plays. Smart guy,” Cignetti mentioned.

(ON3+): Takeaways from Curt Cignetti’s Big Ten Football Media Days podium appearance

Cignetti isn’t the only one to recognize just how skilled Mendoza is with the football, as Sarratt gave some high praise to his new QB1. He mentioned just how talented Mendoza can be moving out of the pocket, but also that “His arm talent’s great, one of the best arms I feel like in the nation.”

Sarratt also recalled a specific instance in practice where Mendoza showcased just how impressive he can be. “He got out of the pocket one time during the spring and then took it for like 60 [yards] down the sideline and just running past him I was like: Okay this boy can play some ball.”

With this mix of poise and talent, Mendoza to Indiana figures to be a home run, but the work still has to be put in, and Mendoza is checking off that box.

Sarratt mentioned that Mendoza has led by example, with the quarterback routinely putting in extra reps after practice.

“This summer, I can really tell he’s been putting that time in the playbook and staying in the facility watching film,” Sarratt said.

Mendoza isn’t trying to just make himself better either, as Sarratt said that the quarterback is trying to make everyone better around him as well.

“When he’s on that field and he flips that switch, he’s about his business. He’ll yell at me, he’ll yell at the eighth string,” Sarratt explained. “That’s what you want to see out of your quarterback.”

With his off-the-field presence, coupled with his work ethic in practice, Mendoza embodies the way Cignetti and his staff want Indiana to play. Sarratt put it by saying: “We’re always talking about if you want to be a pro, act like it,” and Mendoza fits that to a tee.

With Mendoza looking to replicate the success of Kurtis Rourke from a year ago, he has all the tools to do so. That doesn’t mean that they’re copy-and-paste though. Sure, both quarterbacks have a similar build, but Mendoza operates a bit differently.

“Fernando got a little bit [of swag], he’s a Florida boy, you know South Florida, so he got a little bit of swag with him,” Sarratt said.

This is in contrast to how Rourke handled himself, as Sarratt mentioned that Mendoza is slightly more outgoing than the former IU quarterback. Though the two quarterbacks are different, Indiana fans are hoping that Mendoza can be just as, if not more, productive than Rourke was in 2024.

Because of his work ethic and natural talent, Mendoza should be in for a great season, but Sarratt and Cignetti’s comments prove that those around the program have started to take notice of just how special Indiana’s transfer quarterback might end up being.

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