In a major win for Indiana football, former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza has committed to the Hoosiers, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The redshirt sophomore and one of the top players in the transfer portal, Mendoza brings a proven track record to a program riding high after its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 pounds, Mendoza chose Indiana over other top programs, including Georgia and Missouri. Rated as the No. 3 quarterback in ESPN’s transfer rankings, he still has two seasons of eligibility left, making him a key piece in head coach Curt Cignetti’s strategy to sustain the Hoosiers’ newfound success.
A Rising Star in College Football
Mendoza had an impressive 2023 season with Cal, ranking as the third-leading passer in the ACC with 3,004 passing yards. Over 11 games, he accounted for 18 total touchdowns, including 12 through the air, while throwing just six interceptions. Despite being sacked a staggering 41 times—the most in FBS—Mendoza’s poise and accuracy shone through, as he finished in the top 10 among Power 4 quarterbacks for passing yards per game (273.1) and completion percentage (69%).
His performances included standout moments like a 233-yard, two-touchdown showing in a road victory at Auburn and a gritty, nearly game-winning 285-yard effort against then-No. 8 Miami. Mendoza’s leadership was on full display during a dramatic 98-yard, game-winning drive in a 24-21 rivalry win over Stanford.
Mendoza’s time at Cal also marked a significant milestone for the program, as he helped the Bears achieve six wins and a bowl game in their inaugural ACC season.
A Family Connection
One key factor in Mendoza’s decision to transfer to Indiana was his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, a freshman backup quarterback for the Hoosiers. The chance to reunite with his sibling, combined with Indiana’s upward trajectory under Cignetti, made Bloomington the ideal destination.
Filling Big Shoes
Mendoza will step into the spotlight as Indiana’s starting quarterback following the departure of Kurtis Rourke, a graduate transfer from Ohio who delivered a stellar 2023 campaign. Rourke’s performance included 3,042 passing yards, 31 total touchdowns, and a ninth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting. His leadership helped the Hoosiers achieve an 11-2 record and a No. 10 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Indiana’s Rapid Rebuild
Under Cignetti, Indiana experienced a dramatic turnaround, going from a 3-9 record in 2022 to an 11-2 finish in 2023. The success earned Cignetti both Home Depot Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. A transfer-heavy roster overhaul played a critical role in the transformation, with 30 newcomers joining the program, including 13 from Cignetti’s previous school, James Madison.
Looking ahead, the Hoosiers are poised to continue leveraging the transfer portal to reload their roster. Mendoza’s arrival as a proven Power 4 starter marks a significant step in Indiana’s efforts to maintain its competitive edge in the Big Ten and beyond.
As the Hoosiers prepare for the 2024 season, Mendoza’s leadership and experience are expected to be the cornerstone of their quest to build on their remarkable postseason run.
