Fernando Mendoza

Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback known for his achievements in college football and his transition to the NFL. Mendoza was not a traditional blue-chip high school prospect, receiving only two football scholarship offers: Yale and California. He chose California, where he redshirted his first season before earning his first career start midway through his redshirt freshman year. Mendoza completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,708 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading California to a 6-7 record and an Independence Bowl appearance. He continued to develop the following year, completing nearly 69 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 starts. Mendoza's performance at California increased his visibility in the transfer portal.

After entering the transfer portal, Mendoza announced his decision to transfer to Indiana University Bloomington to play for the Hoosiers. In his first year at Indiana, he led the Hoosiers to a 13-0 regular-season record, including a victory in the Big Ten Championship game and the program's first No. 1 ranking. Mendoza led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in passing touchdowns (41), passing efficiency (182.9), and points responsible for (288), with an FBS-best 48 touchdowns accounted for. He threw 39 touchdowns with zero interceptions in the red zone, according to Pro Football Focus. A pivotal road win against Penn State, highlighted by a passing touchdown to receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in the final moments, was widely described as a Heisman moment.

Mendoza was announced as the 91st winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, becoming the first player in Indiana school history to win the Heisman Trophy. He was also named AP College Football Player of the Year, winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and first-team All-Big Ten. Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record, capping the perfect season with a 27-21 win over Miami in the national title game. He was named College Football Playoff National Championship Game Offensive MVP and Peach Bowl Offensive MVP.

Standing 6-foot-4, Mendoza brings size and toughness to the quarterback position, with a reputation for accuracy, anticipation, and poise under pressure. Off the field, he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from UC Berkeley in three years and continued his studies at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Mendoza is also known for his Catholic faith, incorporating daily Mass into his game-day routine and coordinating team Bible studies at Indiana.

Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Of all players ever selected first overall, only Mendoza, Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston, and Cam Newton have won the Heisman Trophy, a college football national championship, and been selected first overall. Mendoza is a prominent figure in the Hispanic football community and frequently discusses the influence of his Cuban-American heritage. Though his Spanish language skills are conversational, he delivered portions of his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in Spanish to honor his family. Mendoza enters the NFL as a franchise quarterback, recognized for his determination, leadership, and cultural pride.