New Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Too Inconsistent at CAL

The University of Georgia was said to be interested in landing CAL transfer quarterback (QB) Fernando Mendoza.

That’s when I knew I needed to evaluate every snap he took for the Golden Bears in 2024 before transferring instead to Indiana.

What did I think?

No question, Mendoza is one of the more challenging evaluations because at first glance, he has good size and a strong arm. He also makes his share of highlights when he does his best impersonation of NFL QB Aaron Rodgers.

But the devil is in the details ⎯

That’s where the real work is done.

Being an evalator is akin to being a private investigator. Each play is a piece to a prospect’s puzzle. Trends begin to form into consistent patterns. Traits are revealed. From there, it’s about seeing the big picture as an NFL translation.

Does Mendoza have a future at the next level?

He has a chance.

How much upside does he have?

That will be further answered by his 2025 season.

NFL traits

College football is college football, and the NFL is the NFL.

There are distinct differences.

Four traits I look for initially in a college QB looking to make the successful transition into the NFL are:

1. Can he go through his progressions? (The ability to make multiple reads before throwing, and can be spotted by watching the quarterback’s head moving around, indicating he’s looking at his different target options before he throws).
2. Can he throw with anticipation? (It’s important for starting quarterbacks in the NFL to be able to throw before the receivers get to the spot where the ball is supposed to arrive).
3. Ball placement (the ability for quarterbacks to put the ball in the ideal location so receivers can run through the catch and pick up additional yardage).
4. Ball security (the quarterback’s ability to keep the ball out of harm’s way when throwing).

I’m not sold on Mendoza in any of these areas.

Deep ball

Another big part of successfully starting at QB in the NFL is accurately delivering downfield +19 air yards.

I charted Mendoza at 16/48 (33.3%).

That’s not good enough either.

Other concerns

His short (0-9 air yards) to intermediate (10-19 air yards) accuracy also hinges too much on perfect mechanics from a clean pocket.

Anything outside of that is less certain.

Mendoza also tends to become too tunnel-visioned or to drop his eyes when the pass rush is closing in, and lose his downfield focus.

Battle for Third-String in the NFL

That’s where I am projecting Mendoza at this point in the process.

Mendoza’s commanding presence and competitive spirit will work for him, but his rigidness and lack of natural feel for the position will work against him.

#15 Fernando Mendoza 6-foot-5, 225 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Spring Grade: Fifth-Round (I would select him)

Injury risk: High

Projected by 17.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 2, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film evaluated: UC-Davis, Auburn, San Diego State, FSU, Miami, Pitt, NC State, Oregon State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Stanford (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: FSU figured him out

2024 Time to Throw 2.59 Seconds (per Pro Football Focus)

Left the Auburn game with an apparent leg injury

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tough and raw athletic prospect. Absorbs a lot of contact. Tightly wound. Comes off over-taught. Fancy ball handling. Some improv. Mostly pre-determined and one-read throws. Rhythm and tempo passer. Poised. Fearless. Decisive. Good footwork and throwing base, but sometimes relies a little too heavily on his arm strength, which negatively affects his location control. Can fit the ball into some tight throwing windows, but lacks touch on his short-to-intermediate throws. Can get swallowed by the pass rush. Less accurate once moved off his spot. Better accuracy off-platform rolling to his right versus left. Sometimes, he doesn’t see defensive backs in his throwing lanes. 24 PBUs/11 games (2.18 avg.). Shows some emotion after touchdowns. Competitive runner who can pick up chunks of yardage.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. How does he acclimate to his new team?

2. Ball security?

3. How does he look making +19 air yard throws?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.