In a season defined by transformative transfers, no player has made a greater impact than Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The California transfer, once a lightly-recruited prospect, has not only thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation but has become the catalyst for the first No. 1-ranked Indiana team in history. On the eve of the Heisman ceremony, Mendoza solidified his status as the nation’s premier player by sweeping the Maxwell Award for player of the year and the Davey O’Brien Award for best quarterback. His statistics are staggering: 2,980 passing yards, a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes, and a 71.5% completion rate for the undefeated, 13-0 Hoosiers. His journey to this point, however, is a story of resilience and unconventional paths, having blazed a trail from a Yale commit with no Power 4 offers to the doorstep of college football’s most prestigious individual honor.
Behind every great athlete is a powerful source of inspiration, and for Fernando Mendoza, that is unequivocally his mother, Elsa Mendoza. In a heartfelt letter published on The Players’ Tribune, Elsa detailed her 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis and the profound bond she shares with her son. She described Fernando as her “first teammate,” recalling their early days in Boston and his unwavering support as her condition progressed. “You’ve made me feel seen,” she wrote. Fernando has been vocal about his mother being his idol and inspiration, channeling her daily fight into his own relentless work ethic. This season, he partnered with local Bloomington restaurants on NIL deals, with proceeds from the ‘Mendoza Bros. Burger’ and a Cubano bagel sandwich going directly to the National MS Society. Ahead of the Heisman ceremony, through an Adidas partnership, he hosted a $10,000 shopping spree for four families impacted by MS in New York City.
The story of Mendoza football at Indiana is inextricably linked to the vision of head coach Curt Cignetti, who himself made history by becoming the first coach to win the Home Depot Coach of the Year award in back-to-back seasons. Cignetti’s system and guidance were pivotal in Mendoza’s decision to transfer from Cal, believing it was the right path to the NFL. The results have been revolutionary. Under Cignetti, the Hoosiers secured their first Big Ten championship with a victory over Ohio State, completed their first undefeated regular season, and earned the top seed in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. They now await the winner of Oklahoma-Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, with national championship aspirations firmly in sight.
Mendoza’s success highlights the broader trend of transfers shaping the playoff landscape. A related article ranking the top 25 transfers in the CFP field placed Mendoza at No. 1, noting he is a potential first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Other impactful transfers on Indiana’s roster include linebacker Aiden Fisher (James Madison) and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds (James Madison), who have fortified a formidable defense. The playoff field is stocked with transfer talent, from Texas Tech’s dominant defensive line featuring David Bailey (Stanford) and Romello Height (Georgia Tech) to Ohio State’s star quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), who is also a Heisman finalist. This reality underscores how the transfer portal has redefined roster construction at the sport’s highest level.
As the college football world turns its eyes to New York, Fernando Mendoza stands as the overwhelming favorite to claim the Heisman Trophy, a feat that would crown an improbable and inspirational season. Whether he takes home the bronze statue or not, his legacy at Indiana is already secure. He has lifted a program to historic heights, provided a powerful platform for a cause close to his heart, and embodied the modern college athlete’s journey—one of determination, opportunity, and profound personal purpose. His story is less about a single award and more about the culmination of a lifetime of overcoming obstacles, a journey he credits to the strength he learned from his best friend, his mom.