If Fernando Mendoza does make a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, he would already be in rare air for the Hoosiers. Considering he's currently the top frontrunner and the favorite to win the award going into the final week, it would be historic if he became Indiana's first Heisman.
Mendoza will have to take care of business from here on out, including a possible matchup with Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. However, if he shines on the big stage, there's a good chance from him to do something nobody before him has been able to do in Bloomington.
Anthony Thompson came the closest, finishing as the runner-up in 1989 after a close vote. Other Indiana players have finished in the top 10 of the voting, including Kurtis Rourke in 2024, Antwaan Randle El in 2001, and Vaughn Dunbar in 1991.
To say Mendoza could carve out a special path is an understatement. The veteran quarterback has been excellent despite the pressure. He's coming off his sixth four-touchdown game of the season. That’s elite work and on a different level. At a basketball school, Mendoza is turn heads toward the football program at the right time.
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