Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Profile

The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Profile.

Fernando Mendoza Background

Position: Quarterback

School: Indiana

Size: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds

Class: Redshirt Junior

2025 stats: 3,535 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 8.2 yards per attempt, 72.0 percent completion, 90 carries, 276 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns

Mendoza was a three star recruit in the class of 2022 who left Miami to sign with Cal. He redshirted in 2022, then passed for 1,708 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 63 percent completion. As a full-time starter in 2024, Mendoza passed for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions on 68.7 percent completion. Following the 2024 season, Mendoza transferred to Indiana. In his one season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza passed for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions on 72 percent completion on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. He helped the Hoosiers win the National Championship.

Following the 2025 season, Mendoza declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be the first pick in the draft.

Fernando Mendoza Strengths

Mendoza has been very accurate during his college career. He can put the ball on the money for his receivers, specifically in the short and intermediate areas of the field. His ball placement was great, as he could fit the ball into tight windows and leave room for receivers to run after the catch. He specialized in back-shoulder throws at Indiana and was able to put the ball in a position for his receivers to make plays.

His decision-making helps set him apart. Mendoza protects the football, only throwing six interceptions in 2025. He is able to go through his progressions and make the right read a lot of the time. Mendoza can look off safeties, then turn and throw it to an open receiver. He understands the game and makes good decisions to set his team up for success.

While he won’t have the strongest arm in the league, Mendoza has solid arm strength. He is able to put some velocity on his passes to get the ball to his receivers quickly. This ability to throw in tight windows in college will be useful for the next level. While his deep ball accuracy could use some work, he has the arm strength to improve during his time in the NFL.

Fernando Mendoza Weaknesses

Mendoza is an average athlete who won’t create much out of structure. He is best at staying in the pocket and going through his reads. Mendoza can pick up some rushing yards on brocken plays, but it won’t be a selling point of his games. He can sometimes struggle to move in the pocket to escape pass rushers.

His footwork could use some work and be more consistent. Mendoza improved his footwork at Indiana, but he still can do more to help him be a more consistent thrower. Having a solid base to throw off of on most reps will be useful at the next level. Improved footwork could help him avoid more sacks at the next level.

While he is accurate to the short and intermediate areas of the field, he sometimes struggles to place the deep ball. Mendoza worked best when getting the ball out of his hands quickly, anywhere in the 0-20 yard range. He has the arm strength to throw deep, but can continue working on hitting his receivers deep down the field to stretch defenses and make him more effective.

Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick

Draft Grade: First Round Pick

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