Fernando Mendoza is writing his own storybook dream on the football field. From college football transfer to Big Ten champion to Heisman Trophy winner, the Indiana Hoosiers star quarterback is in for a brighter future in the NFL.
In beating out Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jermiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Mendoza solidified himself as the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft if that hasn’t been already established.
In leading the No. 1 ranked Hoosiers to the top seen in the 12-team College Football bracket, Mendoza still has some work to do, but when it comes to the draft, he is a prospect quarterback hungry teams will be coveting. If his 2025 stats that include 2,980 passing yards and 33 touchdowns aren’t enough to secure him as a top NFL prospect, his poise in the pocket, quick processing in getting the ball to the right spots, sneaky athleticism and leadership will win over a team.
As a projected top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead for “HeismanDoza” in the NFL? In looking back at NFL history and the last five Heisman Trophy winners, NFL Mocks looks at where each was drafted and how they are performing in the NFL.
Last five Heisman Trophy winners are making their mark in the NFL
2020 Heisman Trophy winner: DeVonta Smith, WR – Alabama Crimson Tide
In 2020, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith beat out quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and Kyle Trask for the iron trophy after putting together a season in which he hauled in 98 receptions for 1,511 receiving yards and 17 touchdown passes.
As one of the top wideouts entering the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith was selected with the No. 10 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. Although slender in size, Smith’s elite route-running and big play ability has helped the Eagles rise as a Super Bowl winner.
Although not noted as one of the top receivers in the NFL, Smith has averaged over 900 yards a season since he entered the league in 2021. His best season came in Year 2 when he caught 95 passes for 1196 yards and 7 touchdowns. So far in 2025, Smith is on pace for another 1,000-yard season with 64 receptions for 839 yards and 3 touchdowns.
2021 Heisman Trophy winner: Bryce Young, QB – Alabama Crimson Tide
Bryce Young made it back-to-back years an Alabama player took home the award. He beat out QB Kenny Pickett, Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the award after passing for 4,322 yards and 43 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Because he was a sophomore, he wasn’t eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft but was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. With Stroud, who he beat out for the Heisman, has been the prize of that draft so far, Young is starting to come into his own in the NFL and establish himself as a solid starting quarterback in the league.
In battling some scrutiny through his first two seasons in the NFL, Young has the Panthers in playoff contention in 2025. Through 12 games so far in 2025, young has passed for 2337 yards with 18 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. With more offensive talent around him and time to throw, Young is starting to show that top draft pick value. While the jury is still out on how good he will be in the NFL, he is at least showing the talent that made him a Heisman winner.
2022 Heisman Trophy winner: Caleb Williams, QB – USC Trojans
Caleb Williams took home the prize in 202 after a stellar season at USC. Williams, who also beat out Stroud along with TCU’s Max Duggan and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, was marvelous in that season with USC. Williams passed for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns that season. He also added 10 rushing touchdowns showing off his dual-threat ability.
Although not eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft, Williams was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. In a draft rich with QB talent, Williams struggled in his rookie season to live up to expectations. In Year 2 under a new coach and a revamped offensive line, Williams has the Bears sniffing the playoffs and is looking very much like the No. 1 overall pick with 3,150 yards passing along with 21 touchdowns through 14 games in 2025.
The Bears are 10-4 and atop of the NFC North mostly due to Williams’ rise as a quarterback and his production in making highlight plays.
2023 Heisman Trophy winner: Jayden Daniels, QB – LSU Tigers
Jayden Daniels took home the Heisman Trophy and the national championship in the 2023 college football season. A dynamic, dual-threat fascination, Daniels beat out Michael Penix Jr, Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison Jr for the honor after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns in his senior year.
After leading an LSU team that also included Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., Daniels was the second quarterback off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft behind Caleb Williams. During his rookie season, Daniels gave Washington Commanders fans hope that he was the franchise by taking home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game.
His sophomore season hasn’t been great, however. In an injury riddled season, Daniels has played in just seven games while his team has taken a big step back with a 4-10 record. In shelving Daniels for the rest of the 2025 NFL season, the Commanders will look to re-tool and add more weapons around a healthy Jayden Daniels in 2026.
2024 Heisman Trophy winner: Travis Hunter, WR/CB – Colorado Buffaloes
Travis Hunter took home the Heisman Trophy in 2024 beating out Ashton Jeanty and Dillon Gabriel. The two-way star was one of the top wide receivers in the nation and proved to be an elite cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2024. The highlights and production led to him being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With speculation wild over which position Hunter would play in the NFL, the Jaguars used him primarily as a wide receiver. While he struggled to find his niche on either side of the ball, Hunter did show flashes as a receiver with 28 receptions for 298 yards and a touchdown before going down with a season ending injury.
While he has not been the best rookie in the 2025 NFL Draft, there is still hope Hunter will return in his second season with a bigger impact. The Jaguars will plan to use him as a top wide receiver and a matchup cornerback in 2026.
In all, the previous Heisman Trophy winners have yet to hit their prime in the NFL. With where each Heisman winner was selected, it’s a good bet Fernando Mendoza will be a top 5 pick at the very least and he will have a chance to make his mark Day 1 for whichever team he is drafted.