Fernando Mendoza, Curt Cignetti, and the Indiana Hoosiers delivered a remarkable run. In Cignetti’s second season, Mendoza captured the Heisman Trophy and propelled the Hoosiers to a flawless 16-0 campaign, sealed by a 27-21 triumph over the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship.
Mark Cuban’s Pitch Puts Fernando Mendoza’s NFL Draft Plans in Serious Question
As Mendoza, the top quarterback on PFSN’s big board and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, prepares to enter the draft, rumors suggest he seriously considered returning to school, and with good reason. In addition to on-field success, Cignetti’s ability to inspire fans and alumni has led to increased donations, notably from Hoosiers grad and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Amid these contributions, Cuban has reportedly increased his support with an extraordinary offer rumored to be $39 million to keep Mendoza with the Hoosiers next season. He achieved a PFSN College QB Impact score of 93.3 and a grade of A, going 273-for-379 for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 276 rushing yards and seven scores this season.
Reacting to reports of this offer, former Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin described it as “mind blowing in a lot of ways” and emphasized that, unlike other offers, this would truly “move the number.”
“The young man can make up his own mind, it’s on him and of course it’s his own life,” Irvin said. “But Mendoza, if Mark Cuban is offering $39 million and Mendoza decides to go to the NFL… in the NFL, we would call that… that’s a bad move, man.”
Irvin further weighed in, suggesting that if the report is accurate, rejecting Cuban’s offer could be viewed as a “selfish” move.
“Because the reality is everybody is we’re understanding we’re competing against one another, but we’re also competing for one another,” Irvin explained.
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“Let me tell you what I mean by that… There were times when we were playing and my contract would come up or Jerry Rice’s contract would come up or Chris Carter’s contract would come up. We were the top of the game. We knew it was our job to continue to move the number north since we were at top of the game. I became the highest paid. Rice leapfrogged me when I got to negotiating. I went in saying I want to beat Jerry Rice’s numbers. I just beat him on the field.”
Irvin argues players must always push the ceiling on what boosters are willing to pay, benefiting peers in similar positions. “He is the best,” Irvin said. “We got to move that number. And then the next man comes up. If he his contract is up, he’s somewhere near me. He has to move that number. He has to beat my number. It’s for the betterment of every receiver in the league. I see this with Mendoza.”
While Mendoza has a reputation for selflessness, Irvin’s point about “pushing the number” merits consideration in this context. Given Mendoza’s Heisman and championship, entering the draft appears to be the natural next step as he aims to be the first player called on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
