Breaking News: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announces via social media.
Mendoza, a 6 foot 5 gunslinger from Miami, Florida has taken the college football world by storm this season, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 after winning the National Championship earlier this week. Fernando Mendoza is the consensus 1.01 player on every big board, with him being the odds on favorite to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the pick.
Earlier this morning, Fernando released and Instagram reel declaring his intention to enter the 2026 Draft. In true Fernando Mendoza fashion, he gave all Glory to God while thanking his family, teammates and coaches for their part in his journey, before capping it off with a call back to his LinkedIn account.
Here’s Fernando Mendoza’s full quote transcribed from the video.
“Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith…a leap that led me to going 16-0 with my boys and winning a National Championship, and now it’s led me here. The Moment where I get to dream bigger.” Mendoza stated In the reel. “Thank you to my family and my teammates that pushed me. To my Coaches that took a chance on me, it is all with your support and the Glory of God that I am here today. the trust in my foundation and gratitude for each person that has helped me reach this moment, I am ready to take the next step….My LinkedIn status is now ‘Open to Work’ and I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!”
In 2025, Fernando Mendoza recorded the following statistical stat line:
16-0 record
3,535 yards
41 Touchdowns
72% completion
90.3 QBR
182.9 Passer Rating
This incredible season helped Mendoza earn basically every major accolade in the game including:
Heisman Trophy
Davey O’Brien Award (Nation’s Best QB)
Maxwell Award (Most Outstanding Player In College Football)
Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Big Ten’s top player)
Associated Press Player of the Year
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
First-Team All-Big Ten & First-Team All American Honors
Inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year
BIG-10 Championship, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl and National Championship Offensive Player of the Game
Cover Photo Credits: William Bodak (@_sleepyfilmz_/ IG) – friend of NewEraPrep
