A football player in a red helmet with white Indiana University logo, red jersey, and white undershirt, holding a football with both hands and looking to the side.

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)

A football player from Indiana University celebrating on the field, wearing a white jersey with the number 15, and a red helmet, with a crowd of fans in the background.

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.