Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza's primary focus is beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl.
But some analysts are already looking ahead, including ESPN's Greg McElroy, who wants to see a struggling NFL franchise take a shot by drafting the Heisman Trophy winner.
Enter the possibility of Mendoza heading to New Jersey, McElroy said Tuesday.
“Right now, I would go with the upside that you get with Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza,” McElroy said. “I think Jaxson Dart, at this point, is a really high-floor prospect. You kind of know what you’re going to get. … But there’s mechanical inconsistencies that will not be fixed immediately.”
If Mendoza goes to the New York Giants, McElroy sees him picking up steam much quicker.
“I like the upside of Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza better,” McElroy said. “Because I feel like the long-term prospects of those guys being super elite in the NFL feels more likely than it does with Jaxson Dart.”
But, for now, Mendoza told reporters Tuesday how much he is excited to play a storied SEC program, particularly quarterback Ty Simpson.
"I’ve seen him or heard about him for a long time now. He was one of the top guys.... Not only was he a great quarterback, he seemed like he was a great guy. And I think everyone he’s rubbed off on whether it was his podcast with ‘Bussin with the Boys,’ I’ve always seen his personality shine through, and I think that’s why he’s such a great leader of that team in which people see he’s authentic, he’s genuine and they want to go behind him. Also as a player, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, no doubt about it.”
The Rose Bowl is set for New Year's Day (4 p.m. ET, ESPN).