Fernando Mendoza’s weekend got better after Tom Brady commemorated the Indiana quarterback’s Heisman Trophy win.
Mendoza beat out finalists Diego Pavia, Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin to win the prestigious college football award on Saturday night. The next day, Brady praised the junior on “Fox NFL Sunday.”
“I love everything about his game,” Brady said of Mendoza. “Certainly, his leadership is what stands out to me. It’s his relatability to his teammates, and he’s overcome a lot of things in his career.”
Mendoza transferred to Indiana last offseason after playing two years at California. The Hoosiers will seek their first national championship in school history as the College Football Playoff’s No. 1 seed after improving to 13-0 with a massive Big Ten Championship Game win over Ohio State.
Mendoza has steered head coach Curt Cignetti’s Indiana offense with 33 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 71.5 completion percentage. Brady marveled at the 22-year-old lifting the Hoosiers to new heights.
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“You go to a program that hasn’t won anything in forever. What he’s done this season was so impressive,” Brady said. “I’m really happy for him.”
Unlike Brady, Mendoza likely won’t have to wait long to get drafted if he goes pro next year. ESPN’s Field Yates is among the pundits who have recently projected Mendoza to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana receives a first-round CFP bye before facing the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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