Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza listed as a QB to know ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza was listed as one of the top NFL quarterback prospects to know ahead of the 2025 season by ESPN.
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid named Mendoza as one of the eight draft-eligible quarterbacks in the ‘Top names to know’ category.
The Cal transfer was one of two Big Ten quarterbacks named joining Penn State’s Drew Allar.
In addition to Mendoza and Allar, Miami’s Carson Beck, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Texas’ Arch Manning, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier were the other six quarterbacks on the list.
While Mendoza has yet to play a game for Indiana, he has garnered a ton of praise ahead of the season.
“Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024,” Reid said.
“He has a snappy release that helps the ball come out of his hand with plenty of life. Mendoza is a precise passer who puts the ball in the proper place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target percentage last season.”
In 2024 Mendoza passed for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions while leading Cal to a 6-5 record in 11 games.
After two years at Cal, Mendoza entered the portal ranked as the No. 20 overall player in the On3 Industry rankings and the No. 4 quarterback.
“He is effective throwing from inside or outside the framework of the offense, ranking ninth in the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outside of the pocket,” Reid said. “He also excels at identifying and attacking advantageous one-on-one coverage situations.”
Mendoza will have a lot of expectations as he takes over for 2024 starter Kurtis Rourke who led Indiana to their winningest season in school history.
RELATED: IU football QB Fernando Mendoza invited to Manning Passing Academy
His ability to create with his feet and operate outside the pocket will add some new wrinkles to the Indiana offense that finished second in 2024 in points per game.
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Mendoza comes in with the chance to be one of the most talented quarterbacks in the history of the program to lead the Hoosiers. Yet, there are areas where he can improve ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely,” Reid said. “He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten.”
Last season Cal allowed the most sacks in the FBS which could have contributed to Mendoza being impatient.
The Hoosier offensive line has been marked as one of the biggest areas of improvement in 2025 after they added some impact players in the transfer portal.
Reid also noted that the similarities between Indiana and Cal’s offenses could give Mendoza a chance to break out next season.
Coming off a historic 2024 season, Indiana football will have high expectations that Mendoza will be tasked with meeting in his first season in Bloomington.
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