Fernando Mendoza Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)

School: Indiana

Class: Senior

Position: QB

HT: 6’5

WT: 225 lbs

Background: Fernando Mendoza was barely ranked as a prospect in high school. He received a composite 2-star rating and was not even a top 125 QB or top 250 player in Florida in the class of 2022. Out of Miami, Florida, Mendoza played for Christopher Columbus High School. As a senior in 2021, Mendoza helped lead his team to 14th ranked nationally. Fernando participated in both the Elite 11 Regional and Under Armour All-American Regional Camp. Fernando Mendoza was recruited by FIU, Penn, and Yale, but chose to go across the country to play for Cal.

College: Mendoza redshirted in his first season in Berkley and took over as the starter as a redshirt freshman in 2023. He earned All-Pac 12 honorable mention and was on the Pac 12 Honor Roll. In 2024, Fernando finished with 3,109 passing yards. This was good for 7th most in Cal single-season history. Ahead of his redshirt junior season, Mendoza transferred to Indiana to play for Curt Cignetti. In his one season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza was an All-American and All-Big 10 selection. He also won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Hoosier to do so. He led the nation with 41 touchdowns and a 90.2 QBR.

Strengths: Fernando Mendoza has incredible ball placement at all three areas of the field, but especially in the short to intermediate areas. He hits the back shoulder throws with incredible efficiency. He is able to put the ball in a place where only his receiver can make a play. Mendoza is patient in the pocket and does not panic to leave. He scans the field well and gets the ball out before pressure has the chance to get home. Mendoza has a frame that allows him to stay cool under pressure. His height allows him to see over the rush while his strength makes him more durable to take on contact. As a runner, Mendoza may not pass the eye test, but he gashes defenses when he takes the ball himself. He has decent speed for his size and position, consistently outrunning linebackers on the edge.

Weaknesses: Mendoza’s accuracy takes a big hit on any throw longer than 20 yards down the field. He can still make those throws, but his control seems to go out the window. While he has patience in the pocket, it turns into a detriment at times. He holds the ball and remains in the pocket too long. His offensive line can only keep a clean pocket for so long before pressure gets home.

Conclusion: Fernando Mendoza will be the QB1 of his draft class. He has unbelievable touch and accuracy to go along with superb decision making. He can quick game defenses to death and slowly eat away at yards. If he adds a few more pounds of muscle he can become a more effective runner at the point of attack.

Best Team Fits: NYJ, LVR, PIT

Player Comparison: Aaron Rodgers

Player Grade: Round 1 (93.6)