Sports
No. 2 scorer Stojakovic returns to loaded Illinois
Andrej Stojakovic is back at Illinois for his senior year, boosting their title hopes!
ESPN News1 min read
SportsFeature
Fernando Mendoza answers if winning the CFB Championship was ‘improbable’
TL;DR
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana's quarterback, believes his rise to national champion and projected No. 1 pick is not improbable, despite appearances. He attributes his success to consistent performance and trust in the process.
Key points
- Fernando Mendoza is the quarterback for Indiana.
- He transferred from Cal to Indiana.
- Mendoza led an unexpected championship run.
- He is projected to be the No. 1 pick.
- His success is attributed to consistency and trust.
Fernando MendozaIndianaCal
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Fernando Mendoza does not see his rise to a national champion and projected No. 1 pick as improbable, even if it might look that way from the outside.
The Indiana quarterback went from a transfer out of Cal to the face of college football in a single season, leading one of the most unexpected championship runs in recent history.
But for Mendoza, the journey was never about proving people wrong. It was about stacking performances, staying consistent, and trusting that the results would follow.
Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images
Fernando Mendoza shuts down ‘improbable’ narrative after title run
Speaking via Sports Illustrated, Mendoza addressed the idea head-on ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Did I know I was going to win a national championship or one of the prestigious awards? No idea. But improbable? I don’t think this is,” Mendoza said.
That mindset showed throughout Indiana’s historic 16-0 season, where Mendoza led the program to its first-ever College Football Playoff title while winning the Heisman Trophy.
Even during the playoff run, where the Hoosiers dominated Alabama, Oregon, and Miami, Mendoza never played like someone chasing a miracle. He played like someone expecting it.
How Fernando Mendoza became projected No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The numbers back up why scouts now see him as the top quarterback in the class.
Q&A
How did Fernando Mendoza become a national champion quarterback?
Fernando Mendoza became a national champion quarterback by transferring from Cal to Indiana and leading the team through an unexpected championship run.
What are the key factors in Fernando Mendoza's success in college football?
Key factors in Fernando Mendoza's success include consistent performances, trust in his abilities, and a focus on stacking achievements rather than proving critics wrong.
Why does Fernando Mendoza not consider his rise to the No. 1 pick improbable?
Fernando Mendoza does not consider his rise to the No. 1 pick improbable because he focused on his performance and believed in the process throughout his journey.
