Who is Fernando Mendoza? What to know of Miami-area preps standout, Indiana QB

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Miami-area preps standout Fernando Mendoza has developed into a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2025, an outcome that seemed far away for the former 2-star recruit four years ago.

Mendoza, who attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, transferred from Cal to Indiana in the offseason and has the Hoosiers looking like national championship contenders in 2025. The 6-foot-5 quarterback has 2,346 passing yards with 23 touchdowns to five interceptions this season, and ranks fourth nationally with an 88.1 Total quarterback rating (QBR).

REQUIRED READING: On Fernando Mendoza's late heroics: 'Anybody looking for a Heisman moment, there it is'

Mendoza might have also had his Heisman moment in Week 11, leading Indiana to a 27-24 comeback win over Penn State after tossing a game-winning touchdown to Omar Cooper Jr. with 36 seconds remaining.

Quarterback development certainly isn't linear, and Mendoza embodies that sentiment dating back to his days as an under-the-radar recruit.

Here's what to know of Mendoza, one of the breakout stars in college football this season:

Fernando Mendoza high school

Mendoza attended Columbus High School in Miami and led the school to an 8-2 record as a senior in games he started in 2021, according to MaxPreps. His school was ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation in 2021 before opting out of the postseason due to COVID-19, according to his Indiana bio.

Mendoza passed for 1,169 yards with 11 touchdowns to four interceptions, along with 140 rushing yards on the season. While his stats certainly aren't eye-popping, Cal saw enough projection to offer the 2-star quarterback.

Mendoza had two FBS offers out of high school, choosing Cal over FIU. He was originally committed to Yale but flipped his commitment after the Golden Bears offered him late.

Fernando Mendoza recruiting ranking

Mendoza was a 2-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings.

He was tabbed the No. 2,149 player nationally, No. 140 quarterback and No. 288 player in the state of Florida. Mendoza had reported offers from Cal, Bryant, FIU, Lehigh, Penn and Yale.

Mendoza's stock rose considerably after two strong years at Cal, rising to four-star status as a transfer portal recruit ahead of the 2025 season. He was the No. 22 overall player and No. 4 quarterback in the portal, according to 247Sports.

He has clearly beaten those rankings and has a strong argument of being the best quarterback in college football.

Fernando Mendoza stats

Here are Mendoza's year-by-year college stats:

  • 2023 (Cal): 153 of 243 passing (63%) for 1,708 yards with 14 touchdowns to 10 interceptions; 49 carries for 86 yards with two touchdowns
  • 2024 (Cal): 265 of 386 passing (68.7%) for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions; 87 carries for 105 yards with two touchdowns
  • 2025 (Indiana): 181 of 254 passing (71.3%) for 2,342 yards with 26 touchdowns to five interceptions; 56 carries for 240 yards with five touchdowns (10 games)

Fernando Mendoza Heisman Trophy odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Mendoza is tied-for first in the latest Heisman Trophy odds ahead of Week 12 of the season. Here are who has the top-five odds to win the award:

  • T-1. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (+175)
  • T-1. QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State (+175)
  • 3. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama (+550)
  • 4. QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M (+750)
  • T-5. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (+2500)
  • T-5. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (+2500)

Fernando Mendoza NFL draft

Here's where Mendoza is being projected in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to multiple experts.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who is Fernando Mendoza? What to know of Miami-area preps standout

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