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Fernando Mendoza
Bio
- Hometown: Miami, FL
- School: Indiana
- Year: Junior
Measurables
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 225
Scouting Report
Fernando Mendoza was the central piece of the Indiana Hoosiers' National Championship. A three-star recruit, Mendoza initially committed to Yale before flipping to Cal late in the recruitment cycle. Mendoza redshirted as a freshman, then was Cal's clear starter for two seasons. He finished his degree in 2025 and transferred to Indiana to play with coach Cignetti. He closed out his college career as Cal's all-time leader in completion percentage for a single season, a national champion, and a Heisman Trophy winner.
If you asked a coach in 2001 to build their ideal quarterback prospect, it would look eerily similar to Mendoza. His arm isn't elite, but it has adequate strength for the NFL. He processes reads efficiently and works through progressions well. He has absolutely diabolical placement on back-shoulder throws, and can throw receivers open even when they appear to be covered down the field. Mendoza is a little more shifty than he gets credit for, but he's likely a zero as a rushing threat at the next level.
Rundown
Mendoza is the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL draft, and for good reason. He's a classic dropback passer who has shown the ability to run two different styles of offenses at a high level.
Player Comp
Matt Ryan
NFL Range of Outcomes
Above-Average Backup to Hall of Famer
For more information on Fernando Mendoza and the rest of the 2026 rookie class, get our Rookie Guide today! And come back to this page after the NFL Combine and NFL Draft for updated information!
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