Fernando Mendoza has had an incredible few months. The star quarterback led Indiana to a 12-0 regular season and then knocked off Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Mendoza then won the Heisman Trophy, and now the Hoosiers are one of four teams remaining in the College Football Playoff.
As a result, Mendoza is receiving NFL hype, and one former head coach has given the passer a bold comparison.
Bruce Arians Compares Fernando Mendoza to Drake Maye
Mendoza has thrown for 3,172 yards with 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season. The quarterback leads all FBS passers in touchdowns, yards per attempt, and passer rating. It’s no surprise that Mendoza is now considered by most to be the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft. Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians recently appeared on the “Pat McAfee Show” and gave a glowing review of the passer.
“Fernando Mendoza has all the traits, all the measurables,” Arians explained. “Guy can spin it, he’s athletic… reminds me a lot of Drake Maye coming out. Same height and speed.”
Comparing a quarterback to Drake Maye is an incredible compliment now. Maye is fourth in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, and first in passer rating this season. PFSN’s QB Impact ranking gives Maye an elite 91.1 grade, which is 2nd in the league behind only Brock Purdy. The young quarterback also led his team to an AFC East crown and the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
As Arians mentioned, the quarterbacks are almost identical in build, and both can make plays with their legs. Arians would know about good quarterbacks, too, considering he coached Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and Tom Brady, among others, during his successful coaching career.
Arians retired from coaching and stepped into a front office role with the Buccaneers after winning Super Bowl LV with the team. Mendoza has helped lead the Hoosiers to their most accomplished season in program history. The quarterback became the first Hoosier to win the Heisman and also gave the team its first 12-0 season.
The 2026 quarterback class isn’t expected to be loaded, but Mendoza is at the top of most lists. Oregon’s Dante Moore and Alabama’s Ty Simpson are among the other top options at the position.
As for Mendoza, the quarterback hopes to still have two games to play for Indiana. The Hoosiers are taking on the Oregon Ducks in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl this weekend, with the winner advancing to the National Championship Game.
