Is Alberto Mendoza related to Fernando Mendoza? What to know of Georgia Tech QB
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
When Alberto Mendoza arrived at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, he was Indiana's backup quarterback behind another Mendoza — Fernando — on what would eventually become a national championship-winning team.
Even then, Alberto Mendoza had his sights set on winning the Hoosiers' starting job in 2026. So, with the College Football Playoff playing out to its eventual conclusion and the transfer portal open, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers kept him informed of their plans for the quarterback position — including any moves they considered in the portal.
"They've shown they really like me and feel like I've developed really well, and think I can be a great player," Alberto Mendoza told the Bloomington Herald-Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. "Coach Cig has really emphasized that I have a really bright future."
As it turned out, Indiana did make an addition in the transfer portal, landing former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. The addition prompted Alberto Mendoza to enter the portal himself two weeks later, where he eventually landed at Georgia Tech.
There, he is set to succeed Haynes King as the Yellow Jackets' starting quarterback. He now has the keys to the offense for the first time in his career in Atlanta, with Georgia Tech looking to compete with Miami, SMU and Louisville for the conference title and a bid to the College Football Playoff.
Here's what to know of Alberto Mendoza and his relation to Fernando Mendoza:
Is Alberto Mendoza related to Fernando Mendoza?
Yes, the Georgia Tech quarterback is the younger brother of Heisman Trophy-winner Fernando Mendoza, who eventually went No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Mendoza brothers both attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. Older brother Fernando, a 2-star member of the 2022 recruiting class, committed to California out of high school. Two years later, younger brother Alberto, himself a 3-star quarterback in the 2024 class, committed to Cignetti: first at James Madison, then at Indiana.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 college football season, Fernando Mendoza entered the transfer portal from out of Cal. The opportunity to play alongside his brother was a contributing factor when he chose the Hoosiers from the transfer portal.
"I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that, to see his perspective on the coaching staff, the culture," Fernando Mendoza told the IndyStar in January 2025.
Why did Alberto Mendoza leave Indiana for Georgia Tech?
On Jan. 20 — one day after Indiana beat Miami for the national championship — Alberto Mendoza entered the transfer portal. The decision came after Indiana and Cignetti had previously landed the commitment of Hoover, one of the most sought-after quarterbacks available in the portal.
Alberto Mendoza stats
Here's a look at Alberto Mendoza's career stats at Indiana:
- 2024: 1-of-1 passing (100%) for 6 yards
- 2025: 18-of-24 passing (75%) for 286 yards with five touchdowns and an interception | 13 carries for 190 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Alberto Mendoza related to Fernando Mendoza? What to know of Georgia Tech QB
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos