Fernando Mendoza, once an overlooked high school QB, is now preparing for the NFL Draft. Rated as the 250th best recruit in Florida, he has shown remarkable growth and determination.
Key points
Fernando Mendoza was rated as the 250th best recruit in Florida.
He was not considered a top prospect in high school.
Mendoza's younger brother was viewed as a better quarterback.
He received his first FBS offer late in his senior year.
Mendoza's work ethic and knowledge contributed to his growth.
Mentioned in this story
Fernando MendozaAlberto MendozaCristopher Columbus High SchoolMiami
Even Mendoza's high school coach didn't feel the quarterback was the best prospect in his own family.
"He wasn’t a finished product in high school," Columbus coach Dave Dunn said. "His younger brother, Alberto, was a much more finished product. He even said at one time he was like a baby giraffe in high school. But he had knowledge and work ethic. He’s worked so hard."
In an era when most elite prospects sign during the early signing period in December, Mendoza had to wait until late January of his senior year to even get an FBS offer.
"He’s a late bloomer," Miami Palmetto coach Mike Manasco said. "His senior year, we played him three times. I thought he was great in the offense Columbus runs. Tough kid. Felt his feet were his best attribute. Every game he got better. In the playoff game, he was a lot better than he was during the regular season. I always thought his younger brother was going to be the one. But Fernando is the one."
Q&A
What was Fernando Mendoza's high school ranking as a quarterback?
Fernando Mendoza was rated as the 250th best recruit in Florida during his senior year.
Why was Fernando Mendoza considered an average quarterback in high school?
Mendoza was not seen as a standout player, even his coach believed his younger brother was a more finished product.
When did Fernando Mendoza receive his first FBS offer?
Mendoza received his first FBS offer in late January of his senior year.
What factors contributed to Fernando Mendoza's improvement as a quarterback?
Mendoza's knowledge of the game and strong work ethic were key factors in his development as a quarterback.
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Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
1 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
3 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
4 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
5 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
6 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
7 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
8 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
9 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
13 / 14
Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Did Mendoza get overlooked in high school?
You could make that argument ... now. And some have. They'll swear they saw what Mendoza could or would become.
"People have revisionist history," Dunn said. "At the time, coaches were telling me that they liked him, but they were going to pass. Now all those guys are coming back to me, and they all blame someone else for why they didn't take him."
He was impressive as a junior when he led Columbus to a 9-0 record in a COVID shortened season. It also came at a time when college coaches were unable to see high school players in person — a travel ban that extended to the spring before Mendoza's senior year.
For recruiting purposes, Mendoza basically lost the season where players tend to go from prospect to recruit and then the most important spring to be seen by coaches.
And then he got to his senior year. Columbus came into the season riding a 16-game win streak, but this wasn't the same team.
"We did not have a good receiving core, and we had a really young offensive line," Dunn said.
Mendoza got hit a lot his senior year. Miami Palmetto coaches came away impressed with his toughness because of how many times he got up after getting hit. Venice sacked him seven times in his final high school game.
"He was very polished with footwork and was very accurate with the football," Venice coach John Peacock said after rewatching the film from their 35-7 win over Columbus in the 2021 state semifinal game. "We had a very good front that year which caused the majority of his issues. But you could tell he was a very good player."
What did coaches think of Mendoza's potential?
The summer before Mendoza's senior year, Dunn was at a 7-on-7. He overheard a college coach concerned that they were going to miss on Columbus' rising senior quarterback. The college coach liked the way Mendoza threw the ball and loved his ability on the white board, but he wasn't sure if he could sell his head coach on taking a chance on an unheralded prospect. They never offered.
Dunn retells the story as an outlier, not a common refrain. No one saw this version of Mendoza coming.
"I felt like he was an average quarterback, nothing crazy," Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones said. Chaminade beat Columbus 33-17 during Mendoza's senior year, a game that saw Mendoza throw an interception to future Indiana teammate — and fellow NFL Draft prospect — D'Angelo Ponds. "He was what we call a game manager. That’s what we thought about him. I see this happen all the time. He was one way in high school and then he gets in certain systems and the system fits. He could have been at a whole other school than Indiana and not looked like that. That system fit and I hope at the next level system fits him, too."
Mendoza's best traits in high school were the intangibles, which were off the charts: Intelligence, high football I.Q., leadership, maturity and work ethic.
"He led the offense well," Manasco said. "You could tell he was good leader. As far as him throwing, I wasn’t as concerned as much as I was with him being able to extend play s with his feet. We hit him a lot and he popped up, he was tough. We tried to prevent him from leaving the pocket. Our game plan every game was keep him in the pocket, limit his access throws and limit his running."
When did the No. 1 pick version of Mendoza emerge?
Mendoza has always been passionate about football and willing to put in the work. He opted to eat lunch with Dunn instead of his friends every day at Columbus just so the two could talk football.
"He's worked so hard and all he cares about is football," Dunn said. "He's all football. He was a guy who you knew his best football was ahead of him. And he has an unmatched work ethic."
The phrase, "bigger, faster, stronger," gets overused but it's appropriate for the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Mendoza. He's grown at least 1/2 inch and added almost 30 pounds since high school. Dunn said he looks more like tight end now.
Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The arm strength has improved, too. Fernando and Alberto Mendoza returned to Columbus over the summer to workout. They put a receiver 22 yards downfield on the opposite sideline.
"He was throwing BBs to the opposite hash," Dunn said. "That’s a freaking throw. He has elite arm strength in that regard."
Mendoza emerged as a solid quarterback at Cal — the school he signed with out of high school — but took things to another level after transferring to Indiana before the 2025 season. Dunn credits Mendoza's connection with Chandler Whitmer, Indiana's quarterback coach in 2025 who since has been hired for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for helping Mendoza's growth.
So here we are on the precipice of the NFL Draft, and for the second consecutive year the No. 1 pick will almost certainly be a quarterback who went from unheralded in high school to undeniable by NFL scouts.
"It’s great," Manasco said. "It's always fun to battle in high school and then see these kids progress. He wasn’t highly recruited out of high school at all. Coach Dunn does a great job developing quarterbacks. He's just a guy who produces quarterbacks well. And something hit when he was in college. Some of the throws he makes now, if he made those in high school we wouldn’t have had a chance."
