Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner knows a thing or two about answering one’s critics and about how to surprise the world and win it all. Now a member of the media, Warner is often called upon to give his opinion on up-and-coming signal-callers.
This year, that list includes Fernando Mendoza, who just helped the Indiana Hoosiers win a College Football Playoff National Championship.
Kurt Warner Analyzes Fernando Mendoza’s NFL Potential
Warner has shared multiple times that he believes that Mendoza is the best quarterback entering the 2026 NFL Draft. He was recently asked about his thoughts on the Heisman Trophy winner while speaking with fellow analyst Ross Tucker on “The Ross Tucker Podcast.”
He shared that he really relishes opportunities to see and evaluate the next generation of talent. Warner added that Mendoza’s technique is solid.
“I love the technique with which he plays,” Warner said. “For a taller guy, for a longer guy, I think he’s really, really accurate. The ball comes out quick, he can make those accurate throws on any level of the field.
“But when I went back and watched him, the majority of his throws came underneath 10 yards down the field. So the majority of his throws were quick throws; good, on-time. The offense was built that way.”
But is that skill enough to sustain Mendoza in the pros? Warner said Mendoza was fortunate at Indiana not to have to be in the position of having to carry his entire team to win a game.
“I didn’t see him being forced to have to carry his team a lot. Which is something I always like to know if I’m drafting a guy high or if I am a team that’s not a great team.
“Can this guy carry me? Has he been forced to have to make 45 throws in a game and have to go swing for swing, and counted on to make throw after throw? He didn’t have to do that at Indiana specifically,” Warner said.
“I didn’t see him being forced to have to CARRY his team a lot, which is something I always like to know…”
“Can this guy carry me?”
@Kurt13Warner breaks down Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza: pic.twitter.com/6abreWx7hx— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 1, 2026
PFSN’s CFB QB Impact score assigns grades to players, positions, and units for all 32 NFL teams. It’s no surprise that Mendoza was given an A, which is a score of 93.3. This was a major improvement from the C+ he was given for 2024.
Mendoza is widely expected to be the first overall selection in the upcoming draft, going to the Las Vegas Raiders.
