The Indiana Hoosiers are back in the national spotlight—but this time, it’s thanks to one of their newest additions under center.
On3Sports college football analyst Andy Staples just dropped his list of the top 10 quarterbacks in the Big Ten heading into the 2025 season, and Indiana transfer Fernando Mendoza made a surprising appearance near the top.
Staples slotted Mendoza at No. 3 in the Big Ten quarterback rankings, trailing only Drew Allar from Penn State and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer. That’s a bold call considering Mendoza hasn’t taken a single snap in the conference yet—but the buzz around him is building quickly.
Last season at California, Mendoza quietly put together a solid year.
He put up over 3,000 passing yards and completed nearly 69% of his throws, had 16 touchdowns, and only six picks. Not the flashiest numbers, but people close to the game noticed. He stayed cool, didn’t force much, and learned from his mistakes.
Now he’s in Bloomington, working with a brand new staff and system. Doesn’t seem to matter.
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The buzz hasn’t slowed. Staples and others see something in him. It’s not just numbers—it’s how he plays. Mendoza processes fast, gets rid of the ball quickly, and doesn’t panic when the pocket gets messy.
That’s exactly what Curt Cignetti wants. A guy who stays in control, makes smart reads, and keeps things moving.
If Mendoza really is that guy, Indiana might finally have something steady at quarterback. And in a Big Ten that’s shifting more than ever, that might actually mean something.
