Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is drawing major NFL attention. The kind usually reserved for franchise-altering players.
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. And Field Yates projected Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the New Orleans Saints on the board.
Yates noted that while several quarterbacks remain in contention for the top spot, Mendoza’s fit with the Saints “made too much sense given where their roster is right now.”
If that projection holds, it would mark the second straight year the Saints have invested heavily in a quarterback. Last year, New Orleans selected former Louisville signal-caller Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick, but Mendoza’s potential has clearly elevated the stakes.
Since transferring from Cal to Indiana last December, Mendoza has been electric. He has thrown for 2,124 yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 72.3 percent of his passes through nine games. He’s also added 220 rushing yards and four scores, leading the Hoosiers to a 9-0 start and a No. 2 ranking.
Mendoza headlines a quarterback class that includes Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
While Mendoza’s draft stock is skyrocketing, there remains a chance he could return to Bloomington for another season. For now, though, the buzz is undeniable. Indiana’s breakout star looks like the next big thing at quarterback.
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