Fernando Mendoza’s NFL talks in 2025 have become a spirited narrative of unexpected rise and promise. Transferring from Cal to Indiana this offseason was a game-changer for Mendoza, who quickly became a top-15, maybe even top-10 NFL Draft prospect for 2026. As the Hoosiers’ starting QB, Mendoza has quickly become the heartbeat of Indiana’s offense. In the first few weeks, he’s been sharp, hitting over 65% of his throws. To begin with, there were the expected bumps. You know the intangibles like adjusting to a new offense, new teammates, and the spotlight that comes with Big Ten football.

But week after week, his game sharpened. Against Indiana State, he stole the show. He completed 19 of 20 passes for 270 yards and six total touchdowns without a single turnover. Now that’s a statement game that screamed potential and readiness. That kind of performance isn’t just turning heads locally; it’s making NFL draft analysts sit up and take serious notice. Mendoza is fast becoming a favorite name in the early chatter for the 2026 NFL Draft’s first round. Scouts and draft ESPN experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller have grown louder with praise, impressed by his combination of size, arm talent, and on-field smarts.

“Scouts I talked to over the summer were high on him after his junior season. But wanted to see him cut down on turnovers,” Miller wrote. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start getting attention from NFL scouts as a potential Round 1 player.” This massive shift of the round 1 buzz is all swirling around his game against Indiana State. Except for the number, Mendoza erased a big question mark scouts had hovering over him: ball security. Instead of risky throws or forced decisions, he showed beautiful touch, pinpoint accuracy. Mendoza lit it up against Indiana State, completing 95% of his passes, a new program record.

The mark was previously held by Peyton Ramsey, who went 13-of-14 (92.9%) against Eastern Illinois. The way Mendoza moved in the pocket, the decisions he made under pressure, and his chemistry with receivers like Omar Cooper Jr. are commendable. Mendoza’s precision passing met Cooper Jr.’s explosive athleticism perfectly. Cooper hauled in 10 catches for 207 yards and an eye-popping four receiving touchdowns. Basically, the duo complemented each other very well. Mendoza was placing the ball where only Cooper Jr. could make a play, setting him up for yards after the catch.

Cooper’s quickness and burst turned short passes into long gains, including a jaw-dropping 58-yard touchdown run after a catch. See, Mendoza didn’t really stack up the stat sheet, but that’s okay. See, Mendoza’s not the guy who’s gonna light it up for 400 yards and 15 yards a throw. And honestly, he never will be. That’s just not his game. He’s more like football’s version of a true point guard. A floor general. The type who spreads the ball around, gets everyone else involved, and keeps the offense in rhythm. He’s the kind of player an NFL team picking in the late teens or early 20s would love — a steady QB for a roster that already has plenty of talent in place.

And it’s not just ESPN speaking. Analysts like CBS Sports’ Mike Renner have also placed Mendoza in mock drafts as a potential No. 1 overall pick. It’s a striking development considering he began as a three-star recruit ranked 134th at QB nationally.

Can Fernando Mendoza become the Steelers’ next franchise QB?

The NFL offseason buzz centers on who’ll be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next franchise QB. And one hot topic is whether Mike Tomlin’s team might be ready to ditch Garrett Nussmeier in favor of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. See, Nussmeier arrived at LSU with high expectations. You know the same, aiming to win a national championship and solidify his draft stock after his 4,052-yard passing season in 2024. But while the yardage looked solid on paper, NFL analyst Field Yates has spotted some issues that could hold Nussmeier back from the top of the draft boards.

Nussmeier’s frame, measuring 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, has raised concerns about being “NFL ready” to handle the rigors of pro football. And on top of that, “He lacks dynamic athleticism and has just solid arm strength,” Yates wrote. “But he is still able to deliver the ball on time and to spots where his receivers can create after the catch.”Yates even cited Nussmeier’s patellar tendinitis as a red flag—an injury history that scouts worry could limit his longevity. Enter Fernando Mendoza, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback with a filled-out frame and “NFL-ready” size.

Mendoza’s got the arm to hit every corner of the field, and he’s shown he can stay smart under pressure. He’s grown into a poised leader, too. He has been cutting way down on turnovers since his Cal days, and now is lighting up the Big Ten with Indiana. Meanwhile, Nussmeier’s still battling picks and shaky decisions. See, the Steelers need a long-term solution after Aaron Rodgers’ likely retirement. And they might find Mendoza’s combination of size, arm talent, and mental toughness more appealing than Nussmeier’s raw but riskier profile. And the reasons for this potential quarterback shakeup are pretty clear once you dig into the details.