Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Bio
Mendoza’s college football career almost ended before it began. He did not have any
D1 offers and was set to attend Yale University. At the eleventh hour, Cal swooped in and offered Mendoza a scholarship. He started out buried on the depth chart but had already elevated himself to the starter midway through his redshirt freshman season. After a fantastic 2024 season with the Golden Bears, Mendoza decided to enter the transfer portal and ended up with the Indiana Hoosiers, in part to reunite with his younger brother Alberto who is a redshirt freshman with the program. As his acceptance to Yale indicates, Fernando is an incredibly smart person on and off the field, earning him Academic All-Conference recognition.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Mendoza has the ideal size at 6’5”, 225 lbs. His intelligence shines on the gridiron as well, as he excels in pre-snap reads, audibles, pocket presence, and two minute situations. He also has a rare combination of quick release and strong arm, allowing him to attack all areas of the field even in traffic. Mendoza also has the mobility and awareness to make things happen after the pocket breaks down, as he showed behind a terrible offensive line at Cal. He has displayed amazing toughness and his frame even has room to add more bulk in an NFL strength and conditioning program.
The largest drawback for Mendoza seems to be a reluctance to quit on a play from the pocket. He takes far too many sacks due to refusing to scramble, which leads to him taking some unnecessary hits. We’ll see if he is able to improve in this regard as the season progresses.
Projection
Mendoza’s hot start to the 2025 season has shot him to the top of many mock drafts as the first overall selection. The quarterback depth in this draft has been a little lackluster, so Mendoza will look to distance himself as the top quarterback prospect for 2026. His fit with the Panthers will depend entirely on what the coaching staff looks like. I think Mendoza is the perfect quarterback for what Dave Canales wants to do on offense if he is done trying to make Bryce Young happen.
The 22 year old Indiana signal caller makes quick reads, is calm under pressure, has good size, doesn’t turn the ball over, and possesses the arm to make all the NFL throws. If the Panthers part ways with Canales, I’m sure the new regime will want their own quarterback, spelling the end of Bryce Young’s Panthers career. Mendoza’s prowess on back shoulder throws and throws into traffic would mesh well with rookie standout Tetairoa McMillan, regardless of who is coaching the team next fall.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Fernando Mendoza is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
