Fernando Mendoza has put college football on notice. In Indiana’s dominant win over No. 9 ranked Illinois, the Hoosiers quarterback put in a statement performance that should turn the heads of NFL scouts.
If not already on the radar of NFL teams looking for quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Saturday’s outstanding display vs a top 10 ranked team will have their attention
In the 63-10 win, Mendoza showed off his quick decision making and athleticism in leading Indiana to victory. The 6-foot-5 junior completed 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and 5 touchdowns in just three quarters of play. The accuracy and precision as a gunslinger was well in display in this game:
That catch. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Hw3jUZDUpM
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) September 21, 2025
Fernando Mendoza is just getting going
With this strike to the back of the end zone, Mendoza put the ball where only his receiver could catch it and come down with it inbounds. At the time it put Indiana up 14-7 and started the steamroll of the Illini. Coming off a 73-0 victory over Indiana State, Mendoza followed that 5-touchdown game with a statement performance against a Big 10 rival that looks to be just the beginning.
Following the game Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti highlighted Mendoza’s growth over the past few weeks.
“I thought he took a major step forward last week and again this week. And really had a lot of confidence in him going into the game, Cignetti said following the game. “I think his progress has really accelerated the last couple weeks. And I thought he was right on target.”
Overall, this season, Mendoza has thrown for 975 yards and 14 touchdowns for the undefeated Hoosiers. His next test comes in Week 5 when Indiana travels to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes.
3 NFL fits for Fernando Mendoza
The poise and the drop back game are attributes Cignetti also emphasized when asked about his quarterback following the game. He also possesses a mobility that will have the eyes of NFL teams in search of a quarterback, especially the three teams below:
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are a team that was present at the game between Illinois and Indiana, so they saw first-hand the statement performance by Mendoza. As a team that will be looking for a young quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, the poise and mobility of Mendoza should stand out as a potential first round pick. With his accuracy and quick release, he will be an intriguing option for a Steelers’ offense currently choreographed by veteran QB Aaron Rodgers.
New York Jets: The Jets are trending towards a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The question is whether they will perceive Mendoza as a top 10 draft grade by the time the season is over. Unless Justin Fields revitalizes his NFL career in New York, the Jets will select a top quarterback. The Jets do have a strong offensive line and running game which will be beneficial for a young quarterback like Mendoza. Give him time to throw and he can carve up a defense.
Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones is looking like he found a home through Week 3 of the NFL season, but is he a quarterback the Colts can trust long-term? A quarterback who can run the offense similarly to that of Jones is Mendoza. The intrigue here is that he is already playing in the state of Indiana and Colts fans will be familiar with him by the time the draft comes.