Indiana Hoosier QB Fernando Mendoza advances in Johnny Unitas Award competition

Indiana junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza has advanced in the competition for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Mendoza is one of 25 quarterbacks in the country still in contention for the honor, narrowed down from an original 58-player watch list.

Prior to joining the Hoosiers this season Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns for Cal in 2024.

This season through five games, Mendoza has thrown 16 touchdowns, one interception, with completion percentage of 73.0% and a QBR of 83.1 throughout the season.

The No. 7 Hoosiers and Fernando Mendoza have a lot to be happy about. They’re off to their second consecutive 5-0 start under coach Curt Cignetti and could be heading into the top five with a win this weekend.

Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) visits No. 3 Oregon (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday taking his show on the road in the biggest game Mendoza has ever been apart of.

The 2025 Golden Arm Award Top 25 quarterbacks have distinguished themselves as the nation's elite leaders under center, combining high-level production with character and resilience. From clutch performances in marquee matchups to steady leadership in the locker room, this group exemplifies the values of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award—excellence on the field, integrity off it, and the ability to inspire those around them.

The award is given annually to the nation’s top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with his class, embodying outstanding on-field performance, character, citizenship and leadership.

As the season progresses, semifinalists and finalists will be named prior to the award being presented at a ceremony in December in Baltimore, Unitas’ hometown.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. The full Top 25 list can be found here.

Mendoza and Oregon junior quarterback Dante Moore are the top-two projected quarterbacks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and both are frontrunners to win the Heisman Trophy, while being named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award List. The two will face-off on Saturday at Autzen Stadium.