Fernando Mendoza tipped to hit ground running as former Indiana star reveals elite traits

Feb 6, 2026 - 10:15

Fernando Mendoza was once a forgotten two-star recruit who couldn’t get a walk-on offer from his hometown school.

But now he is a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion, and the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.

Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates a touchdown pass against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Mendoza threw for 3535 yards and 41 touchdowns for Indiana in 2025

The 225 pound quarterback led Indiana to a legendary 16-0 season in 2025, winning the national championship over the Miami Hurricanes.

Mendoza is being lauded by scouts for his elite-level arm strength, quick release and high-level decision making.

The Las Vegas Raiders currently own the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, and they are a organization in desperate need of a franchise QB.

He is the ideal pick for Tom Brady, but the NFL icon will assure his future leader has the right work ethic.

Former Indiana star gives predictions on Mendoza’s NFL impact

San Francisco 49ers rookie CJ West just missed out on sharing the field with Mendoza, but he was keeping track of Indiana’s historic season.

“Yeah I got a chance to actually talk to him before the season started,” he told talkSPORT’s Will Gavin on Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX.

“He’s a great guy I mean you can see it through his interviews, he’s very passionate about what he does and he is a a really really respectable person as well.

“I’m sure he’ll do great you know, he seems very smart.

“It seems like he knows what he’s doing and he seems like he’s very coachable as well.

“So I’m sure he’ll come in the league and have a great opportunity to play.”

49ers star CJ West speaks to talkSPORT's Will Gavin ahead of Super Bowl LX — West spoke to talkSPORT about the consensus No.1 draft pick

West reflects on 49ers miracle run to NFL playoffs

The 49ers run to the playoffs was one that surprised many fans.

The Niners lost Nick Bosa three games into 2025, Fred Warner and first-round draft pick Mykel Williams to season-ending injuries at various points, and superstar tight end George Kittle in the playoffs.

They played the entirety of 2025 without Brandon Aiyuk, who is set for a divorce with the team, and Ricky Pearsall only played nine games.

Gavin’s viral call of Christian McCaffrey’s touchdown in the Wild Card round was a reflection of the Niners season – finding ways to win and managing adversities.

“Yeah, especially the culture that most of our stars out and still being able to do what we did just shows how hard and how close of a team we are,” West told Gavin

“It was awesome to see and just kind of be able to understand the culture coming in as a rookie like this is what it’s supposed to be.

George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 — Losing George Kittle in the Wild Card round was the tip of the iceberg in a injury-riddled but successful season for San Francisco

“Regardless of who’s out there, there’s a standard that we have to uphold and you have to do that no matter what the situation is, no matter the adversity you’re going through.”

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