Fernando Mendoza has put together a special season in Bloomington, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their best season ever. As the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner prepares for his College Football Playoff semifinal clash against Oregon, his draft stock has been a topic of conversation among multiple franchises throughout the NFL. And according to an NFL insider, it’s not as high as many think.
NFL Insider Gives Surprising Reality on Fernando Mendoza’s Draft Stock
On paper, Mendoza checks a lot of boxes as a draft prospect. The 22-year-old has more than 30 starts in college, is 6 feet 5, 225 pounds, has an NFL-ready arm, and can scramble when necessary. These tools have all been on display this college football season.
Through 14 games, Mendoza has completed 72.3% of his passes for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The Miami native has additionally rushed for six scores, compiling the second-best QBR in the country.
Mendoza subsequently became the first Hoosier ever to win the Heisman Trophy this past December, following that up with a dominant Rose Bowl victory over Alabama. The majority of mock drafts, therefore, project that Mendoza will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick.
However, according to Denver Broncos Insider Benjamin Allbright, there is no league-wide consensus that the Indiana standout should be the top quarterback taken. “Quite a few people around the league aren’t sold on him (Mendoza), several have (Dante) Moore above him, and they don’t think that highly of him either,” Allbright wrote on X.
Friday’s College Football Semifinal Could Determine the No. 1 Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has had a terrific first season in Eugene, leading the program back to the CFP. The redshirt sophomore has significantly less college experience than Mendoza, but he has plenty of upside to succeed at the next level.
The two Big Ten quarterbacks have clashed before, with Indiana winning 30-20 on the road. Mendoza had thoroughly outplayed Moore in that top 10 matchup and could quell doubts with another convincing display at the 2026 Peach Bowl.
The Raiders have plenty of flaws on their roster, especially on the offensive line, but all signs point toward the franchise selecting a quarterback with the first pick. Geno Smith struggled all season long under center, finishing the year ranked No. 34 in PFSN’s NFL QB Impact Metric with a D+ grade.
Overall, time will tell who will be the first quarterback selected in 2026. There’s even a decent chance Moore comes back to college, considering his eligibility status and lack of experience under center. That said, how Oregon finishes the season could go a long way toward determining the All-Big Ten quarterback’s future.