Fernando Mendoza had the opportunity to transfer away from Cal after last college football season.
But where would the quarterback go? And was it even wise to leave?
Well, he got some inspiration from Mark Twain, according to ESPN's Jen Lada.
Before the national championship game, Mendoza shared that he keeps this quote in his phone:
"So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Twain knew what he was talking about.
Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers are 15-0 and playing Miami for the national title on Monday night.
He won the Heisman Trophy, too.
And it looks like Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Good thing he left the harbor.
The entirety of Indiana's story is pretty awesome. But their precise, well-spoken, high-IQ, super skilled quarterback is right at the center of the story.
QB is the most important position in sports, and Indiana has a fantastic player in that role in Mendoza.
And yeah, there probably aren't too many quarterbacks making a transfer decision based on a Mark Twain quote.
But Mendoza isn't just any quarterback. He's a special one.
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