The "Statement Maker" in Bloomington
From paying his own way to paving the way for a National Championship run.
Today’s spotlight shines on Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback who has not only resurrected Indiana football but has arguably become the most valuable player in the country. On Monday, the Heisman frontrunner added another accolade to his resume, officially joining the Adidas NIL class.
The brand announced the partnership with the caption, "Statement maker. Welcome to the three stripes," a fitting title for a quarterback who has spent the 2025 season rewriting the record books.
The Heisman Resume
Mendoza currently sits as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, leading Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. His numbers for the undefeated (12-0) and No. 2 ranked Hoosiers are undeniable:
32 Passing Touchdowns: Leads the Big Ten and set a new Indiana single-season record (breaking the mark in the win vs. Wisconsin).
2,758 Passing Yards: With a completion percentage of 72%.
Dual Threat: Accounted for 243 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns.
Efficiency: He ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing efficiency and No. 1 in yards per game (237.2).
A Historic Journey
Mendoza’s path to Bloomington wasn't typical. After earning his business administration degree from Cal in just three years—where he left as the school's all-time leader in completion percentage (66.4%)—he transferred to Indiana. Notably, he paid for his own final two classes in the summer of 2025 while already enrolled at IU to ensure he was ready for the season.
The "Brotherly Love" Record:
In a Week 2 win against Kennesaw State, Fernando combined with his brother, Alberto Mendoza, to become the first set of brothers to throw touchdown passes for the same team in the same FBS game since 2015.
The "Perfect" Game:
against Indiana State, Mendoza set the program single-game completion percentage record (.950), completing his first 14 passes and finishing 19-of-20 with 5 touchdowns.
Off the Field
Mendoza is a captain in the community as well. His background includes:
Coordinating a Turkey Drive that fed 436 families in Miami-Dade.
Founding member of "They Can Too," a global youth aid organization.
Organizing relief trips to Cuba to support his native community.
What’s Next?
The stage is set for the biggest game in Indiana football history. Mendoza leads the 12-0 Hoosiers into the Big Ten Championship against the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes. With the Heisman Trophy and a likely No. 1 playoff seed on the line, Mendoza has the chance to turn a historic season into a legendary one.
