The Davey O'Brien Foundation on Thursday announced that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been selected to the 36-man Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Preseason Watch List.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
In 20 career games played and 19 starts over three seasons at Cal, Mendoza was the No. 14 overall prospect in the Transfer Portal and No. 3 quarterback per 247Sports for the 2025 cycle. He finished his career at Cal as the all-time leader in completion percentage (66.4%) and tied for No. 7 in 250-yard passing games (10). His 2024 season produced just the ninth 3,000-yard passing season in Cal history (3,004 yards) and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl per IU Athletics
Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns, 6 interceptions for the California Golden Bears. He also ran for 105 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in 2024.
No. 15 on the Davey O'Brien watchlist. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RW2B91YWy7
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) August 7, 2025
The 35-player Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 28. For the fifth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. First-round fan voting will begin Oct. 28 following the QB Class announcement.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Foundation will announce the three finalists two weeks later (Tuesday, Nov. 25). The 2025 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.