Indiana football’s Fernando Mendoza drops heartwarming take on life-changing 2025 season

As Indiana football star Fernando Mendoza prepares to hear his name called at the 2026 NFL Draft, likely by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick, the quarterback would reflect on the success he’s had. While Mendoza’s professional journey at the 2026 NFL Draft, the star takes a look back,

There is no denying that Mendoza’s past year has been a whirlwind, from having an amazing year with the Hoosiers, being the Heisman Trophy winner, capturing a national title, and more. He sat down with ESPN and was asked if he could tell himself anything from a year ago, what would it be?

“I honestly don’t even know if I would want to tell Fernando Mendoza from a year ago anything, because I wouldn’t want anything to be different. I wouldn’t want to give him any spoilers,” Mendoza said, via ESPN.

"I honestly don't even know if I would want to tell Fernando Mendoza from a year ago anything, because I wouldn't want anything to be different."

Fernando Mendoza is perfectly happy with how things turned out pic.twitter.com/Xac41y4svy

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 17, 2026

Fernando Mendoza is ready to prepare for his next football step

Mendoza’s answer is one that some rarely give to a question like that, as it appears that the 22-year-0ld is being present in the moment. However, the focus turns now to the NFL as though he isn’t on a team at the moment, the work stars immediately for the Indiana football star.

“My goal is to be the best quarterback in September, the start of the season, rather than being the best quarterback today, April 1st, for the Pro Day,” Mendoza said during his Pro Day. “Pro Day’s great. Wanna showcase my guys. But all my focus is on September… So, no matter what team I go to, I can apply those and work on the field with them and watch film about those concepts so I can get a head start Day 1.”

"My goal is to be the best quarterback in September, the start of the season, rather than being the best quarterback today April 1st for the Pro Day."

—Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza on his mindset for Pro Day pic.twitter.com/z2wHxkUEmp

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 1, 2026

Mendoza will prepare for next Thursday, April 23, as Las Vegas is likely to take the quarterback with the first overall pick after he threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his junior year.

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