Fernando Mendoza just made another move that has people talking, and it did not happen on the field. As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback is finding new ways to stay in the spotlight.
Potential No. 1 NFL Draft Pick Fernando Mendoza Shares Major News
Fresh off a Heisman Trophy and a national championship, Mendoza just updated his LinkedIn bio, adding yet another headline moment to his growing resume without throwing a single pass.
Mendoza already has a list of updates on his LinkedIn profile, but the latest one is quite off-topic.
“I’m incredibly honored to step into a new role as a Franchise Player at Taco Bell! It’s a privilege to take on a role that carries both responsibility and possibility, and to do so at a brand that has never been afraid to push culture forward,” Mendoza shared through a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
He added, “This role isn’t about a title. It’s about showing up for the team, the brand, and the fans who make Taco Bell what it is. I’m excited for what’s ahead, for the ideas we haven’t cracked yet, and for the work still to be done. Just getting started.”
This update isn’t about football at all. Mendoza is not being named a ‘franchise player’ in the NFL sense, and he’s not signing any kind of team-related deal. The phrase is a play on words tied to a marketing partnership with Taco Bell, where ‘franchise’ refers to the restaurant business, not a football designation.
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Taco Bell is a major American fast-food chain that serves Mexican-inspired food. It’s known for items like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and value menu deals. The brand is especially popular with younger customers for its bold marketing, late-night hours, and a constant rotation of limited-time menu items.
Not everyone knows this, but Mendoza is quite the food lover. Before the College Football Playoff semifinals, Mendoza shared what he eats ahead of a big game. NFL reporter Shane Tuttle reported that Mendoza said his pregame dinner usually consists of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets with macaroni and cheese the night before kickoff.
After a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, the future NFL Draft hopeful made a flavorful comparison while praising his team. The Hoosiers quarterback told ESPN Deportes that his winning Hoosiers football squad is like Arroz Con Pollo.
Arroz con pollo, which literally means ‘rice with chicken’, is a classic comfort dish found across Latin America. At its core, it’s a one-pot meal where chicken is simmered with seasoned rice, usually flavored with onions and saffron, and mixed with various vegetables or grains, depending on the region.
So, the new Taco Bell update is nothing but a new stop on Mendoza’s favorite food journey. In practical terms, Fernando Mendoza is acting as a brand ambassador. It typically means appearing in ads, social media campaigns, promotional events, and football-themed marketing content aimed at younger fans. It’s a visibility and image-building move before the draft, showing he’s marketable off the field, not a change in his athletic status.
The Hoosiers’ superstar quarterback is widely projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in April, with the Las Vegas Raiders seen as a potential landing spot. But even before draft speculation heated up, the Indiana QB was already making noise. Since winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, no college football star has matched him when it comes to dominating headlines.
