College football analyst Josh Pate unveiled his top 10 Big Ten quarterbacks entering the 2025 season last week and yes, it included Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Josh Pate, host of CBS Sports’ "Josh Pate's College Football Show,” recently released his preseason Big Ten quarterback rankings, ranking junior transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 9 overall in the conference.
REPORT: I am socializing my Big Ten QB rankings with select people today. Will report feedback. pic.twitter.com/2nmdMIId5T
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) June 13, 2025
Ahead of him were some of the league’s most talked-about names, including Heisman candidate and Penn State’s Drew Allar at the top spot and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin at No. 2. Oregon’s Dante Moore and Washington’s Demond Williams came in at three and four, while Illinois veteran Luke Altmyer rounded out the top five.
Second year starter and Nebraska phenom Dylan Raiola came in at No.6 while USC's Jayden Maivia and true freshman (Michigan) Bryce Underwood were number 7 and 8 respectfully. Rounding at the list at no. 10 was controversial quarterback Nico Iamaleva who left Tennessee for UCLA this off-season.
Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Golden Bears in 2024. He added 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Mendoza, at 6'5'' and 225 pounds, will be joining an Indiana Hoosier team that went 11-2 and reached the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and head coach Curt Cignetti try and duplicate their offensive success from last season and it all starts with Mendoza.