The celebration in Miami felt like the peak of a long climb.
Within days of leading Indiana to a 27-21 national championship victory over Miami, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza began mapping out his next move toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Mendoza confirmed he will attend the NFL Scouting Combine but will not participate in the throwing drills. Instead, he plans to throw at Indiana’s Pro Day, preserving his arm and choosing a setting he knows well.
It was a calculated decision that immediately caught the attention of NFL front offices.
Fernando Mendoza: A draft strategy built on patience
The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis remains one of the most critical evaluation stages for draft prospects. Quarterbacks often use it to elevate their stock, but recent top selections have taken a selective approach.
Mendoza appears to be following that path. Early projections from ESPN draft analysts already list him as a strong candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. Scouts from multiple franchises, including the Las Vegas Raiders, closely monitored his performance during championship week in Miami.
Choosing Pro Day over Combine throws signals confidence in preparation rather than hesitation.
The pitch that changed Indiana football
Mendoza’s rise began when he entered the transfer portal.
While other programs leaned on rankings and playoff exposure, Curt Cignetti offered a development-first approach. According to reporting from The New York Times on quarterback development trends, Cignetti emphasized long-term growth over promises.
“Coach Cignetti really sold me on, we’re going to develop you…
Cignetti was direct in his pitch:
“I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t tell if we’re going to be top 25 in the nation, No. 1, or outside of that top 25. However, I know that I develop quarterbacks. It’s what I do…
The numbers support that claim. Since 2019, Cignetti has stated that all but one of his starting quarterbacks have earned Player of the Year honors in their conferences.
For a program that previously struggled with quarterback consistency, that promise changed everything.
Before Mendoza’s arrival, Indiana had battled instability at the position and limited national visibility. His development brought efficiency, leadership continuity and ultimately a championship ceiling few projected at the start of the season.
Controlling the Controllables
That phrase defines Mendoza’s mindset. On Radio Row during championship week, he emphasized learning from veterans at the next level rather than arriving as a franchise savior. Analysts at NFL Network have consistently highlighted maturity and leadership as key indicators for top quarterback selections, especially for teams navigating roster transitions.
Mendoza’s public approach aligns with what modern front offices increasingly prioritize.
His rise also reflects a broader transformation in college football. The transfer portal era has shifted competitive balance, allowing programs with strong developmental systems to accelerate their trajectory.
Indiana’s championship run now stands as one of the clearest examples of that model working at the highest level.
Eyes on Indianapolis
The next milestone will be the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where interviews, medical evaluations and measurements will influence team boards. Indiana’s Pro Day will follow, giving Mendoza the stage he prefers for his throwing session.
Between now and draft night, private workouts and franchise visits will further shape projections.
What remains clear is that Mendoza’s development-first decision in the transfer portal reshaped Indiana football and positioned him at the center of the 2026 draft conversation.
This article is based on public statements made by Fernando Mendoza on The Pat McAfee Show, reporting from The New York Times on quarterback development trends, and publicly available early 2026 NFL Draft projections from ESPN and NFL Network.
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