Coming out of high school, there was a young 2 star quarterback who had a dream and that was to play division 1 college football. His name is Fernando Mendoza. Fernando was given an offer by Yale. He committed there and was ready to play for Yale. Late in his high school season, Cal gave him a full scholarship. He immediately flipped to Cal. Fernando was ready to prove everyone wrong.

Fernando wasn’t good immediately. He redshirted 2022, and started his first college football game week 6 of 2023 against Oregon State. Although they lost to OSU, Fernando impressed many and he was awarded the starting quarterback role. Over the next two seasons at Cal, Fernando looked really promising. Because of his 20 game career at Cal he threw 4,712 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Fernando still had a dream and that was to play in the NFL. He didn’t think Cal was the best spot for him to develop into an NFL quarterback, so he put his name in the transfer portal and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti gave him a shot at Indiana. Fernando would lead Indiana to a historical national championship season, leading them to an impressive 16-0. Fernando also became the first Indiana Hoosier ever to win the Heisman trophy. 

“Mendoza checks all the boxes. I don’t know if there’s a better leader out there at the quarterback position, certainly not in college” said NFL hall of fame quarterback, Brett Favre.

Mendoza has the highest odds of being the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft. 

Will Fernando Mendoza shine in the NFL as he did in college?