With an unwavering belief, Fernando Mendoza defied all odds to become the 2025 Heisman

Throughout his entire football career, Fernando Mendoza hasn’t carried high expectations. He was never regarded as one of the best quarterbacks at any level during his journey, and was constantly overlooked amongst his peers.

But he had belief.

And how Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy winner.

Mendoza believed he could become the best version of himself, believed he could lead Indiana to places it had never been before, and believed he could ultimately achieve greatness. All of which have proven true.

“I always believed in myself,” Mendoza said after he was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Following Saturday’s award ceremony, the IU quarterback is forever enshrined in college football history. Mendoza’s story isn’t a flashy or exciting one, but it’s a lesson that through unwavering belief in yourself, you can achieve any goal you set your mind to.

But it wasn’t Fernando alone who had belief. It was those around him who allowed Mendoza to become who he is today, with his family serving as his rock, his foundation and his inspiration.

“By high school, I was chasing the first stages of a pipe dream, to play in college. Then COVID hit, cut the season short. The result, I was only a two-star prospect. I only had one scholarship offer,” Mendoza said after receiving the Heisman Trophy.

“But my family’s unconditional love and belief kept me going and pushed me forward. These are the people who built me long before football did.”

FULL SPEECH: Fernando Mendoza Heisman Trophy Speech

Mendoza didn’t have any Power Four offers throughout the majority of his career at Christopher Columbus High School and seriously considered going to FCS-level Yale or even walking on at Alabama.

It was always his dream to receive a scholarship from a big-time college football program, and it seemed like that dream wasn’t going to be achieved. But he never gave up.

Mendoza kept working and kept believing through his faith in his family. Then Cal came calling, and Mendoza finally got his chance to showcase his talents at the power conference level.

After three seasons at Berkeley and the better part of two seasons as the Golden Bears’ starting quarterback, he decided to enter the transfer portal. Mendoza ultimately ended up in Bloomington alongside his brother, reaching unthinkable success as a member of the first Indiana football team to reach 12 wins and capping that off with the first Big Ten Championship Game victory in program history.

But he hasn’t forgotten about the people who made him who he is.

“Thank you to Coach Dunn and to Christopher Columbus High School for giving me a home, a dream to follow and, more importantly, a brotherhood. Adelante,” Mendoza said during his Heisman Trophy speech. “To my Cal family, thank you for being the first to believe in my future. Thank you for the opportunity, thank you for educating me and giving me the foundation that enabled me to grow into the person I am today.”

As someone who values community, those at Columbus and Cal mean the world to him, but they don’t even scratch the surface of what Mendoza’s family means to him.

Through thick and thin, the Mendozas have stuck together throughout Fernando’s career. His mother, Elsa, has battled MS for the majority of Fernando’s life, but through her belief in resilience, Fernando has never wavered on or off the field.

“Mommy, this is your trophy as much as it is mine. You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my light, you’re my why, you’re my biggest supporter,” Fernando said, with tears in his eyes. “Your sacrifices, courage and love — those have been my first playbook, and the playbook I’m going to carry with me through my entire life.”

“You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to,” he continued. “Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible. I love you.”

With his mother as an example, Fernando knew anything was possible. With his inspiration always in mind, he was able to put together a tremendous season with his brother by his side. Alberto was on the roster a year ago, and Fernando’s transfer to IU allowed the brothers to reunite after being apart for the previous three years.

“And 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,” he said. “Thank you for always giving it to me straight, no matter the circumstance.”

Family is everything to Fernando, and for his brother to back him up week in and week out while his mother watches them both, it was a dream come true.

Indiana has had a dream season as well, and it’s been fueled by the same belief Mendoza and his family have always held. The Hoosiers don’t quit when the going gets tough, as their trust in one another has resulted in a perfect season, with several wins coming when their backs were against the wall.

“Congrats to all my teammates, my brothers. 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 who bailed me out and made me look good, every running back who fought for more yards, and our defense that gave us heart, swagger and more second chances than we probably deserved — this trophy might have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you.”

With a support system that includes not only his family but the entire Indiana program, Mendoza was able to thrive. He’s an example of what the right people can do for you, and how trusting those around you can lead to success.

And it came for someone who was never supposed to be in this position. Mendoza was never supposed to be the Heisman Trophy winner. He was a two-star recruit. He was a streaky quarterback at Cal, and even when he transferred to IU, he was taking over a supposed one-hit wonder.

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

It’s never been about Fernando, if you ask him. He gives all the credit to everyone around him, understanding the importance of loved ones and how they can elevate you to your fullest potential, not just in football, but in life.

MORE: Routine and Preparation. Fernando Mendoza’s best assets have turned a dream into a reality — a potential Heisman Trophy he could’ve never prepared for

And after 13 games and countless hours of preparation, the most prestigious individual award in college football will have Fernando Mendoza’s name on it. He knows he wasn’t supposed to be here, and that’s why he closed his Heisman speech with this:

“I want every kid out there who feels overlooked and underestimated to know I was you. I was that kid too. I was in your shoes,” Mendoza said. “The truth is, you don’t need the most stars, hype or rankings. You just need discipline, heart and people who believe in you. And you need to believe in your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams is worth it, no matter how big or impossible they seem.”

So for everyone who buys into public perception, take this as a lesson. With strong belief from the people you care about, greatness can be achieved.

And for Mendoza, greatness was achieved. He’s the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, and while his football journey is far from over, his name being called in New York City on Saturday night is proof that with belief, anything is possible.

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