Fernando Mendoza bet on himself last winter by turning down a richer NIL payday at Miami in favor of a chance he believed would better define his future. One win from a national championship, the wager is nearly complete at Indiana
Fernando Mendoza has led one of the most remarkable seasons in college football history. The Indiana Hoosiers won their first Big Ten title since 1967 and Mendoza earned the school's first Heisman Trophy.
The California transfer has thrown for 3,349 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, transforming Indiana into the No. 1 team entering the College Football Playoff. They haven't let up off the gas since.
The decision almost never happened. According to former agent Ben Dogra, Mendoza turned down a more lucrative NIL offer from the Miami Hurricanes, his hometown school. He said Indiana’s deal paid roughly $2.3 million, while Miami’s offer exceeded $3 million, a difference that led the Hurricanes to pursue Carson Beck instead.
Mendoza prioritized development over a homecoming or money. At Indiana, he joined coach Curt Cignetti’s system to play alongside his brother, Alberto, and believed he had a clearer path to becoming an NFL quarterback.
“That’s coaching,” Dogra said. “He thought he’d have a better chance to grow and get ready for the next level.”
Mendoza’s plan worked. He has surged up draft boards and is now viewed as the No. 1 overall pick. One more win would turn a calculated gamble into a championship legacy as the Hoosiers chase history.
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