Miami football clinched a spot in the 2026 College Football national championship game on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Now the No. 10 Hurricanes will sit back on Friday, Jan. 9, to await their opponent for the Jan. 19 national championship game from HardRock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. While the game will be a default home game for Miami, a potential homecoming could be in store for their opponent.
If No. 1 Indiana football defeats No. 5 Oregon in the CFP Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday in Atlanta, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza will make a homecoming return to the Miami area for a chance at the championship.
Mendoza, a former 2-star recruit, has been the catalyst for the Hoosiers during their undefeated CFP run. The first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana history finished the 2025 season 240-of-332 passing (72.3%) for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, to go along with 77 rushes for 256 yards and six touchdowns.
Here’s everything to know about Indiana’s star quarterback ahead of its CFP semifinal matchup against the Ducks:
Who is Fernando Mendoza?
Mendoza was born in Boston in 2003, but was raised in Miami, where he attended Christopher Columbus High School.
Out of high school, Mendoza was only a two-star recruit, and despite efforts to reach out to Alabama, Clemson, South Carolina and LSU, he was turned away for roster spots as a high school junior.
Eventually, Mendoza committed to Yale on Aug. 4, 2021. Following a visit to Cal on Jan. 28, 2022, Mendoza de-committed from Yale on Jan. 31 and then committed to the Golden Bears one day later.
Mendoza redshirted his freshman season with Cal. However, he began to establish himself as a redshirt freshman, making his first career start on Oct. 7, 2023. He finished the season with 1,708 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
As a sophomore, he was the starter from the beginning of the season and finished with 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions; 87 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Following the 2024 season, Mendoza entered the portal to give himself a better opportunity to establish himself as an NFL QB draft prospect.
‘I still believe I have a ton of things to get better at,’ Mendoza told IndyStar in January following his transfer. ‘Indiana was the best place for me to make that jump developmentally.’
Fernando Mendoza age
Mendoza was born on Oct. 1, 2003, making him 22 years old for the 2025 college football season. Mendoza, who is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, will be 23 years old next NFL season, but will still be 22 when he is drafted.
Where is Fernando Mendoza from?
Mendoza was raised in Miami before attending Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.
Fernando Mendoza NFL mock draft
If Mendoza declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, as expected, he is likely to be one of the top, if not the top, quarterbacks selected. Here’s a look at recent NFL mock drafts involving Mendoza:
- Walter Football (Updated: Jan. 7): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
- ESPN (Updated: Jan. 6): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
- Pro Football Focus (Updated: Jan. 5): No. 1 overall to the Oakland Raiders
- The Athletic (Updated: Dec. 30): No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns
Fernando Mendoza recruiting ranking
Mendoza, part of the 2022 recruiting class, was the No. 2,149 overall player and No. 140 quarterback back in the class, per 247Sports’ Composite ratings. He committed to the Golden Bears over offers from Yale, FIU and Leigh, among others.
Here’s a look at Mendonza’s recruiting ranking out of high school:
- Stars: 2
- National rating: No. 2,149
- Position ranking: No. 140 QB
- State ranking: No. 288 in Florida
Following two seasons with Cal, Mendoza entered the transfer portal on Dec. 11, 2024. Thirteen days later, he committed to Cignetti and the Hoosiers, and the rest is history. He was ranked as the No. 22 overall player and the No. 4 QB in the 2024 portal class.
Fernando Mendoza stats
Here’s a look at Mendoza’s stats in his three collegiate seasons with the Golden Bears and Hoosiers:
- 2022 (Cal): Redshirted
- 2023 (Cal): 153-of-243 passing (63%) for 1,708 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 49 rushes for 86 yards and two touchdowns
- 2024 (Cal): 265-386 passing (68.7%) for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions; 87 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns
- 2025 (Indiana): 240-of-332 passing (72.3%) for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions; 77 rushes for 256 yards and six touchdowns