National Champion and Heisman Trophy winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is officially headed to the NFL.
Fernando Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season, 16-0, and a National Championship while taking home the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza now heads to the NFL draft where he’s expected to be the number one overall selection.
Every year there are quarterback needy teams and this year is no different, with the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals all looking for a quarterback. They’re all also picking in the top three of the draft.
Mendoza is clearly the best quarterback in this draft class and will most likely be going first overall. It remains to be seen if that will be the Raiders making the pick or if there’s a team willing to pay the cost of trading up to take Mendoza.
Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)
Heisman Trophy winner caps off historic season by leading Indiana to its first national championship.
Fernando Mendoza stepped up when it mattered most, leading Indiana to a 27-21 victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Indiana finished the season 16-0, becoming just the second program in college football history to do so. Mendoza’s defining moment came late in the fourth quarter, when he powered through multiple defenders on a gutsy 4th down touchdown run that ultimately proved to be the deciding factor. Despite a relentlessly violent Miami defense that left him bloodied in the first quarter, Mendoza never wavered. His fearlessness and toughness were summed up by a legendary post-game quote: “I would die for my team out there and I know they’re gonna do the same for me.”
Mendoza’s stock could not be higher. His blend of poise, accuracy, and functional rushing ability gives him both a high floor and high ceiling at the next level. He has clearly separated himself as the likely 1st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In Superflex rookie drafts, he is likely to be a top 2 selection, where he can provide fantasy managers with a stable QB2 with clear QB1 upside.
Author: Nick Del Duca (@TheFFScout_x)
The 2025 Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza tops ESPN Matt Miller quarterback prospects.
ESPN’s Matt Miller is the top draft analyst for the company. He recently released his top prospects with 1st round grades. Indiana University quarterback and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is the top quarterback. This comes as no surprise as Mendoza has been lights out with 3,172 passing yards with 36 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also had 6 rushing touchdowns.
Fernando Mendoza has everything you look for in franchise quarterback with excellent size at 6’5″ and 225 pounds along with the statistics and a winning pedigree. The Las Vegas Raiders are the favorite to land the 1st overall pick, should Mendoza land in Vegas, the cupboard is not entirely bare with offensive weapons. The offensive line does need to be addressed. Depending on where Oregon’s Dante Moore lands, Mendoza is likely the rookie QB1 in dynasty.
Author: Jesse Baldwin @J_Baldwin51
