When you’re projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the pressure immediately falls on you. That’s exactly what is happening to Fernando Mendoza, quarterback of the Indiana Hoosiers, who-against all odds-is considered the top quarterback in his class and is projected to land with the Raiders, a team in desperate need of talent at the position.
Fernando Mendoza led Indiana to its first national championship in program history with a perfect 16-0 record, something the university had never accomplished before. The quarterback won the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best player in college football, becoming the first Indiana player ever to receive it. It was a historic season that few could have predicted.
His numbers were outstanding: Mendoza completed 72.0% of his passes for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions in 16 games, leading the nation in passing touchdowns while posting an extremely high passer rating. Now he is heading to the NFL, potentially to a Raiders team that was among the worst in the league last season.
Fernando Mendoza draws a strong comparison
Comparisons are part of the show. Analyst Colin Cowherd spoke about Fernando Mendoza and his similarities to former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan: “When I watch him, here’s what I see: a bigger, stronger, more athletic version of Matt Ryan.”
The comparison to Matt Ryan is positive, despite the fact that he is remembered for losing Super Bowl LI to the New England Patriots. The Falcons, led by Ryan, dominated much of the game and built a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. However, they were ultimately defeated in a historic comeback, a moment that remains tied to both Ryan’s career and the franchise’s history.
Despite that painful loss, Matt Ryan had a very successful career. He was the 2016 NFL MVP, throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns that season. He also set franchise records in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating in a single season. The major issue is that his legacy was marked by that Super Bowl defeat.
Even so, he was a great quarterback. If Fernando Mendoza reaches that level, it would be a very positive outcome, as Matt Ryan was a consistent player who kept the Falcons competitive for many years. Time will tell what happens with Mendoza, but this comparison is certainly an encouraging sign.
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