fernando mendoza
Full Name: Fernando Mendoza
Date of Birth: October 2, 2004
Age (as of May 2025): 20
Hometown: Miami, Florida
High School: Christopher Columbus High School (Miami, FL)
Current School: Indiana University
Conference: Big Ten
Academic Major: Not publicly disclosed
Years at School: Entering 3rd year of college; 1st year at Indiana (Junior class standing in 2025)
Transfer History: Transferred from California (Cal) to Indiana after the 2024 season
Redshirt Status: Did not redshirt
Eligibility Remaining: one year (2026 season)
FootBall Information
Position(s) Played: Quarterback
Primary Position: Quarterback
Pro Position Projection: QB (Pocket passer with functional mobility)
Jersey Number: #15
Starter or Backup: starter
Team Captain Status: Not publicly disclosedd
Games Played / Started:
2023 (Cal): 8 games (5 starts)
2024 (Cal): 12 games (12 starts)
2025 (INDIANA): 14 games(pending National Championship)
Injury History: No significant injuries reported
Suspensions/Disciplinary Issues: None reported
COACH HISTORY
Head Coach: Curt Cignetti
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Shanahan
Quarterbacks Coach: Mike Shanahan
Physical
Measurements
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225 lbs
Arm Length: pending combine
Hand Size: pending combine
Wingspan: pending combine
summary
summary
Fernando Mendoza is a tall, poised pocket passer with strong mechanics, touch accuracy, and advanced field vision for his age. At 6'5", 225 lbs, he possesses ideal quarterback size with a clean, repeatable throwing motion and the ability to operate efficiently from the pocket. Mendoza broke out during the 2024 season at Cal, starting all 12 games and throwing for over 3,000 yards while showing command of protections, timing concepts, and progression-based reads. He excels in rhythm passing, particularly in the intermediate middle of the field, and displays good ball placement on layered throws and anticipation routes. While not a true dual-threat athlete, he offers functional mobility to slide within the pocket and extend plays when necessary. Continued growth in handling pressure, speeding up post-snap processing, and limiting turnover-worthy decisions will determine his NFL ceiling, but his size, accuracy, and composure give him legitimate developmental starter potential entering the 2026 NFL Draft cycle.