Heisman Trophy

Fernando Mendoza’s incredible heroic talents and the Indiana Hoosiers’ dominant 2025 season run have taken the sports world by storm.  Mendoza leading the Hoosiers to a perfect season, a College Football National Championship, and winning the Heisman Trophy for his performance throughout the season is something straight out of a movie, and we would like to see this story become a movie someday. He will likely get drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, as his talent is unmatched among all of the quarterbacks on the draft board. Mendoza’s talent will be talked about in the sporting world for decades to come, and here at TPS, we’re going to talk about some of the most interesting facts you didn’t know about Fernando Mendoza. How well do you know Fernando Mendoza? Mendoza began his collegiate career with the California Golden BearsCalifornia Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates with fans after the game as Auburn Tigers take on California Golden Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. California Golden Bears defeated Auburn Tigers 21-14. Before Fernando Mendoza took his collegiate career to a whole new level, his college football journey began at the University of California, playing for the Golden Bears.  Before that, Mendoza almost went to Yale, as that was his safety school at the time. Then, a Cal quarterback prospect flipped his commitment from the Golden Bears to the UCLA Bruins, opening the door for Mendoza to be accepted into the program and earn a scholarship, as the Golden Bears are a much better football program than the Yale Bulldogs. Mendoza played 20 games for the Golden Bears for two seasons, completing 418 passes for 4,712 yards, throwing 30 touchdowns against 16 interceptions, rushing for 197 yards on 135 carries, and scoring four rushing touchdowns. He led the Golden Bears to the 2023 Independence Bowl and the 2024 LA Bowl, both of which the team lost. Mendoza led the Golden Bears to an impressive 44-7 blowout win over Oregon State, where he completed 27 passes for 364 yards and scored two touchdowns during the 2024 season. Despite being a two-star recruit and being redshirted, Mendoza brought resilience and excellent leadership to the Golden Bears during his tenure with the program.  Mendoza’s Brother was a backup quarterback at IndianaJan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Alberto Mendoza (16) against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Fernando’s brother, Alberto Mendoza, was the Hoosiers’ backup quarterback from 2024 to 2025 before transferring to Georgia Tech for the 2026 season.  Alberto was one of the big reasons Fernando transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers, and the rest became history: playing in the same football program with Alberto made the transition more comfortable for Fernando, and sharing the same field with a sibling is an exciting and memorable experience.  Although Alberto didn’t see much action on the field, he did complete 18 passes for 286 yards, threw five touchdowns against one interception, rushed for 190 yards on 13 carries, and scored a rushing touchdown in the 2025 season for the Hoosiers.  Alberto and Fernando are very close, and taking advantage of the opportunity to play on the same team was a must for Fernando when transferring to the University of Indiana.  Their mother, Elsa, found it much easier to support both brothers playing for one college football team than for two teams. Alberto has shown he’s just as talented as his older brother. However, he has transferred over to Georgia Tech and will play for the Yellow Jackets in the 2026 season. We can’t wait to see what Alberto Mendoza will do for the Yellow Jackets in the ACC this upcoming season. Mendoza is a devout CatholicFernando Mendoza (Credit: IMAGN) Mendoza comes from a very Catholic family and expresses the importance of his faith by saying glory to God after games.  He coordinated the Hoosiers’ bible studies on campus and credits said Catholicism for building a strong camaraderie among him and his teammates. After winning the 2025 College Football National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes, Mendoza said, “I don’t praise God because we won. I praise Him because He’s worthy – no matter the outcome. Tonight just happened because of a blessing.” Fernando Mendoza even brought his Heisman Trophy to the St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington on Christmas Eve as an act of gratitude to God for the spiritual mentorship he received over the years, instead of a public display.   Mendoza has inspired young people to make their religious faith a normal part of their lives, as his faith makes him a very authentic and genuine person.  Mendoza is an advocate for the Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIndiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images) Mendoza speaks up for those who have multiple sclerosis, because his mother, Elsa Mendoza, has the disease.  Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, and there is no cure for the disease.  Mendoza says his mother is his best friend and is an inspiration for everything he accomplishes. German sportswear brand Adidas, which sponsors Mendoza, has also stepped up and helped raise money for MS Research, as mentioned in a Facebook post by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Adidas hosted families who are also dealing with the disease at its flagship store in New York, and had them meet the Mendozas and treat their guests to a $10,000 shopping spree.  Mendoza has helped raise between $100,000 and $170,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.  Mendoza and his family have raised funds for MS research, and the Mendoza brothers have gotten local restaurants, like BuffaLouie’s, which is very close to Indiana’s campus, to create Cuban-inspired menu items like the “Mendoza Bros. Burger,” with proceeds going to MS research.  Mendoza and local restaurants stepping up to help get donations, research, and find a cure for multiple sclerosis is a heartwarming cause.  Mendoza is a Miami Native, despite being born in BostonJan 17, 2026; Miami Beach, Florida, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza during media day for the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship at Miami Beach Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Mendoza was born in Boston, but is a true Miami Native, as his family moved to South Beach shortly after he was born.  His family is of Cuban heritage, and sees that heritage in his and his brother’s passion for playing football.  Mendoza’s grandparents emigrated from Cuba in the 1950s after the Cuban Revolution, seeking the “American Dream.” He cites his upbringing in Miami as a central factor in his current work ethic and journey as an athlete. Mendoza grew up less than a mile from the University of Miami’s campus and attended Christopher Columbus High School, helping his high school team win an 8A State Title in 2019. Fernando Mendoza was a fan of the Hurricanes growing up and wanted to stay local and play for his hometown team, but he was never offered a scholarship. The cherry on top for Mendoza was playing the 2026 College Football Championship game against the Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium and defeating them. Mendoza Idolizes Tom BradyTom Brady (Photo via Imagn Images) Although Mendoza grew up in Miami, he idolized New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, calling him the ultimate football role model, his childhood idol, and his dream dinner guest. He admires Brady’s approach to preparation, his philosophy, his resilience, and his ability to shape his views as a quarterback.  Mendoza also said that the mental demands of playing quarterback echo traits closely associated with TB12.  Mendoza expressed on Yahoo Sports’ Instagram that it would mean so much for him to be mentored by the five-time Super Bowl MVP and future Hall of Famer. The “Goat” himself is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, the team with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, who’ll very likely draft Mendoza with that pick.  Mendoza did have a brief phone call with Brady, and he described it as very special during his scouting combine interview.  If the Raiders draft Mendoza, which is very likely, we hope Brady will mentor him and teach him the ropes of handling the pressures of being an NFL quarterback. Mendoza is working on getting an MBAFernando Mendoza (Photo By Brad Penner-Imagn Images) Besides leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their first National Championship in football, Mendoza is working on getting his Master’s of Business Administration from IU at the Kelley School of Business.  Fernando Mendoza graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in three years. Mendoza lost his Cal football scholarship when he made the switch to Indiana, but he used his NIL money to cover tuition and class costs while pursuing the MBA, which is a very smart way to avoid student debt. Mendoza approaches football similarly to how he does business school, using flashcards and whiteboard sessions to study plays.  He plans to use his degree to pursue a career in finance and real estate alongside his football career.  Mendoza has interned at real estate investment firms like Newmark and ACRE, while also playing football, which is no easy feat.  Acquiring a Master’s Degree is also a special feat, as about 13 to 15 percent of adults over the age of 25 pursue one, according to the Urban Institute.  Having an MBA is also a great asset, especially once Mendoza’s professional football career concludes, as he’ll have an impressive network of business professionals and other NFL players who also want to pursue their own businesses. The Only Apps on Mendoza’s phone are YouTube and LinkedIn(Photo by Imagn Images) The only apps Mendoza has on his phone are YouTube and LinkedIn, as he wants to eliminate social media distractions that most people fall for in everyday life. Mendoza’s goal is to maintain his focus on football and expand his professional network to support his business aspirations off the field.  With YouTube and LinkedIn as the only apps on Mendoza’s phone, he avoids reading comments, negative feedback, opinions about his performance, and other outside noise to keep him on track to become a professional quarterback. Mendoza uses YouTube to watch game film and educational content, while Mendoza signed a partnership with LinkedIn immediately after the Hooisers won the College Football National Championship. Honestly, we need more athletes like this who try to keep away from the noise and focus on improving their craft on the field rather than getting distracted by the social media comment section rabbit hole or by athletes who keep posting every little detail about their lives daily. Mendoza comes from a family of athletesJan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Alberto Mendoza (16) and quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) pose for photos after the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Mendoza’s athletic prowess comes from a family thing, as his parents were also gifted athletes in their younger years. His mother, Elsa, played tennis for the University of Miami and ran tennis drills with him, hoping he would become a tennis player. Mendoza’s father, Fernando Senior, also played football at Christopher Columbus High School and was on the same team as current Miami Hurricanes head coach, Mario Cristobal, and Hurricanes offensive line coach, Alex Mirabal.  Fernando Senior competed in the rowing league at Brown University and won the gold medal in the 1987 Junior World Championships. And Alberto, Fernando’s brother, was the backup quarterback for the Hoosiers, as we mentioned earlier. Coming from a family of athletes suggests Mendoza will likely achieve great success no matter where he ends up in the NFL. Mendoza has always been an UnderdogCalifornia quarterback Fernando Mendoza gearing up to throw a pass at a practice before the 47th annual Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA on 13 December 2023 Despite likely getting drafted with the first overall pick, Mendoza has always been an underdog. Mendoza was a two-star recruit coming out of high school, and the University of California was the only Division I school to give him an opportunity, as mentioned earlier. Not to mention, he was ranked as the 140th-best quarterback in the class of 2022.  Mendoza began his collegiate football career as a redshirt freshman and third-string quarterback, and didn’t see playing action until 2023. He had a shaky start but cleaned things up in the 2024 season. Even after Mendoza transferred to Indiana, he struggled in spring practices by taking too many sacks and struggling with accuracy. Luckily, everything was cleaned up, and Mendoza led the Hoosiers to one of the greatest runs in college football. However, guys like Dan Orlovsky recently said that he considered Ty Simpson to be the best quarterback in the 2026 draft as opposed to Mendoza on the Pat McAfee show, and McAfee and the crew rightly dismantled Orlovsky’s take.  Takes like that further add to Mendoza’s underdog story and to the likelihood that his on-field production will silence doubters like Orlovsky. Mendoza and Simpson squared off in the 2026 Rose Bowl, with Mendoza outplaying Simpson, completing 14 passes for 192 yards and throwing three touchdowns compared to Simpson’s 12 passes for 67 yards.  Furthermore, we can’t wait to see what Mendoza accomplishes in the NFL when he’s drafted. Especially when he potentially gets to don the Silver and Black of the Raiders and possibly change that team’s culture for the better.