Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza has made headlines this season as a quarterback, logging three straight games of a 86+ PFF Grade while also tossing 16 touchdowns and just one interception. The 20 year old
also flashes at Cal in his first two seasons where he tossed 4700 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions (10 came as a true freshman). Mendoza stands at an imposing 6’5/225, and has quality athletic traits as well with a projected 8 RAS score.
Positives:
For starters, Mendoza posses a phenomenal NFL statue at 6’5, with a good build as well allowing him to fight through contact and stay tough in the pocket. Mendoza has consistently excelled at ball placement through his time in college, with a career 67% completion rate including a 72% in 2025. Mendoza shows the ability to layer his passes and consistently make NFL throws into sideline pockets and tight windows. The junior quarterback throws with good anticipation and is able to work to his receivers strengths on in and out breaking route concepts. He possess a good fluid release that is quick to the point allowing him to utilize his body and hips to generate zip onto the ball especially in the tight windows as mentioned above. Indiana’s offense utilizes a high frequency of RPO’s which Mendoza excels at due to his arm speed and release. Mendoza is tough in the pocket, working through contact and showing NFL caliber traits with the ability to step up and to the side in order to avoid contact and get the pass attempt out. Mendoza is playing behind a good offensive line at Indiana, unlike Cal where he was sacked 55 times in two seasons (including 40 in 2024). He’s shown the ability to play under pressure, consistently creating good throws and working the sideline. This season, Mendoza has logged 230 yards, 3 touchdowns, an interception, 7.4% big time throw rate, and 4% turnover worthy play rate when pressured. Additionally, when blitzed the junior has 617 yards and 8 touchdowns along with that previously mentioned interception. Mendoza has good footwork, which allows for him to consistently make good throws in short and long windows with extreme consistency. The quarterbacks frame and body work in one motion giving him the consistent mechanics to adapt to the NFL quickly. In terms of mental traits, Mendoza reads defenses well, shows the ability to look off linebackers and safeties while also using that previously mentioned anticipation and coverage identification in order to complete high caliber NFL quality throws. He’s mobile enough to scramble if needed, but shows the ability to work in the pocket and keep his eyes downfield in order to make a play, though Mendoza is fully understanding of his check down and designed throw away if needed. Mendoza shows the ability to undergo full reads but will need to improve his ability to ID defensive back leverages, and therefore consistently compete inside/outside leverage throws. Mendoza is able to drive his body to create throws in the seam and opposite hash/sideline throws. He puts excellent touch on the ball to create separation for his receivers, while also being able to put the ball in front of them and in stride.
Weakness:
Mendoza is a good athlete, but for the position he won’t blow people away, he doesn’t have a ton of scramble threat and won’t be a threat in terms of designed runs and likely won’t require teams to spy him at any point in his career. This does show at times, where Mendoza will hold onto the ball a second too long and absorb a sack, though he’s become far better at quickly releasing the ball and limiting unnecessary sacks and pressures this season at Indiana. Mendoza will need to do a better job consistently creating the zip and velocity on throws over the middle of the field, where he does struggle at times and can see the ball fade away. Additionally, Mendoza’s largest struggles come with consistency, especially in his mechanics. He has good mechanics which allow him to complete numerous throws though he can open his hips/shoulders too soon leading the ball to fade away from the receivers. Additionally, Mendoza can throw behind his receiver at times due to not correcting his footwork and his release can be too short causing him to underthrow the ball at a receivers feet. Mendoza has success completing 50-50 throws, but he trusts himself too often and can cause the ball to be put in harm at times, this also has changed this season at Indiana though. Overall Mendoza will need to clean up his consistency, which along with an NFL system will likely put him into a great range of success.
Grade: 1.34 – Early First Rounder
Pro-Comp: Joe Burrow
Mendoza is the quarterback that fans will want, he has elite arm talent, is good in the pocket, and consistently wins. He’ll work the pocket well enough to avoid sacks but he’s also tough in the pocket when he does get sacked. Mendoza has been highly successful in three seasons, and currently looks to be at least a finalist for the Heisman in 2025. Mendoza will have to refine his consistency and develop the mental traits through NFL learning, but paired with his advanced nature at this age along with high level traits, the Indiana quarterback looks to be at the top of the draft class at his position.
