As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected as the No. 1 overall pick. However, skepticism remains regarding his transition to a pro-style offense if the Las Vegas Raiders select him with the top pick.
On his podcast this week, Colin Cowherd referenced draft analyst Nate Tice’s film breakdown, noting Tice praised Mendoza’s out-route precision as possibly the best he has evaluated at the college level.
Colin Cowherd Addresses NFL Draft Doubts Surrounding Fernando Mendoza
Cowherd criticized analysts for downplaying Mendoza’s draft stock, stating the Indiana quarterback is not receiving adequate respect heading into the draft.
“What I find fascinating about Fernando Mendoza is, again, I’m constantly told this new dual threat quarterback coming out of Blank University is going to change the game, and they never do,” Cowherd said. “Or this Alabama quarterback is the next Drew Brees, and he never is. Or that this cocky, undersized quarterback has the moxie of a Super Bowl champion, and it never transpires. Like I keep being told, a dual-threat guy is going to change the league… I don’t buy any of them.
“Yet we’ve got a 6’5″ guy who is about as accurate as a college QB has ever been. Good arm, obsessed, kind of a Brady, Tom Brady level, obsessed, humility, grateful. Indiana, my entire life, was just an awful football program. Last year, they went 16-0 in maybe the toughest of the college football playoffs we’ve had… His red zone numbers in 2024 and 2025 were 49 total touchdowns, no turnovers. The kid completes 75% of his throws. Think about this: in the college football playoff, Ohio State’s defense and Miami’s defense had nine touchdowns and no turnovers. I don’t get it.”
Cowherd’s comments followed a report from Fox Sports’ Eric D. Williams, who quoted a longtime NFL scout stating Mendoza’s footwork is inconsistent due to Indiana’s run-pass option (RPO) offense. The scout questioned his deep-ball consistency and performance under pressure.
While Mendoza may not possess the highest physical ceiling in the draft, evaluators view him as a safe investment for a franchise seeking a cornerstone. The Indiana quarterback delivered in high-leverage moments, including a fourth-and-4 play against Miami where he rushed for a touchdown to help secure the Hoosiers’ national championship. He engineered an 80-yard drive at Penn State in a 27-24 win in November.
Cowherd pushed back on the notion that Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti deserves the majority of the credit for the Hoosiers’ success.
“Go back a year when Curt Cignetti punted like the 47-yard line trailing late in the game against Notre Dame, and we were all going, what a fraud,” Cowherd said. “Why are you playing not to lose big? And then the following year, I’m supposed to believe Curt Cignetti is Nick Saban times Bill Belichick. I think Curt Cignetti is excellent, but if you go back to this team, they could have lost if Mendoza was not the quarterback.”
Mendoza finished last season ranked No. 2 in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen ranked him first among draft prospects in five categories: accuracy, field vision, deep-ball ability, touch and timing, and decision-making.
