Junior Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues to earn national recognition this offseason after starting at Cal last season and taking over as the Hoosiers signal-caller.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid listed Indiana's Fernando Mendoza among his top nine “names to know” when it comes to the top signal-callers and the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza will replace All-Big Ten quarterback and 7th round pick (San Fransisco 49ers) draft selection Kurtis Rourke.
Mendoza was the third-leading passer in the ACC this season with 3,004 passing yards on 68.7% passing, 18 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions over 11 games.
This is what Reid wrote about Mendoza in the ESPN article:
Where he excels: Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024, throwing for 3,004 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has a snappy release that helps the ball come out of his hand with plenty of life. Mendoza is a precise passer who puts the ball in the proper place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target percentage last season. He is effective throwing from inside or outside the framework of the offense, ranking ninth in the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outside of the pocket. He also excels at identifying and attacking advantageous one-on-one coverage situations.
Where he needs work: Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely. He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten. But Indiana’s offense is eerily similar to what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza a chance to be a breakout candidate in 2025.
"Mendoza's escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely," Reid of ESPN wrote.
""He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten. But Indiana's offense is eerily similar to what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza a chance to be a breakout candidate in 2025.""Jordan Reid of ESPN
Who else cracked Jordan Reid’s top 2026 QB prospects list?
Joining Indiana's Fernando Mendoza in Reid’s top-names-to-know tier included:
– Drew Allar, Penn State
– Carson Beck, Miami
– Cade Klubnik, Clemson
– Arch Manning, Texas
– John Mateer, Oklahoma
– Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
– Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
– LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Here’s a look at the Reid’s best-of-the-rest tier:
– Rocco Becht, Iowa State
– Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
– Taylen Green, Arkansas
– Mark Gronowski, Iowa
– Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
– Josh Hoover, TCU
– Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
– Kevin Jennings, SMU
– Avery Johnson, Kansas State
– Haynes King, Georgia Tech
– Darian Mensah, Duke
– Miller Moss, Louisville
– Sawyer Robertson, Baylor