Fernando Mendoza Joins Elite Company In College Football History

Fernando Mendoza became college football royalty as he led Indiana to a 16-0 record and a National Championship.

The Indiana quarterback completed 273-of-379 (72%) passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. He played especially well in the first two playoff games, with just five incompletions compared to eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in blowouts over Alabama and Oregon.

That made Mendoza one of just 18 players in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in the same season. And based on some of the recent names on that list, a successful professional career could be in store for Mendoza, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Here's the full list.

2025: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB
2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR
2019: Joe Burrow, LSU QB
2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama RB
2013: Jameis Winston, Florida State QB
2010: Cam Newton, Auburn QB
2009: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB
2004: Matt Leinart, USC QB
1997: Charles Woodson, Michigan CB
1996: Danny Wuerffel, Florida QB
1993: Charlie Ward, Florida State QB
1976: Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh RB
1949: Leon Hart, Notre Dame Right End
1947: Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame QB
1945: Felix ‘Doc’ Blanchard, Army FB
1943: Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame QB
1940: Bruce Smith, Minnesota RB
1938: Davey O’Brien, TCU QB

Part of what made Mendoza's season so incredible is where he began. Out of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Fla., he was considered a two-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite and ranked No. 2,149 overall, No. 140 among quarterbacks and No. 288 in Florida.

Mendoza's only Division I offers came from Cal, Yale, Florida International, Bryant, Lehigh and Pennsylvania. Following two seasons as Cal's starter, he was coveted by many top programs in the transfer portal, and was ultimately sold on coach Curt Cignetti's development plan at Indiana.

Going into the 2025 season, he was 24th in Heisman Trophy odds, according to ESPN. But after leading several late comeback drives and blowout victories in the regular season, Mendoza's season fittingly came full circle with a National Championship in his hometown against his hometown team, Miami.

It was cornerback Jamari Sharpe's interception that sealed the win, but Indiana may not have been in that position if it wasn't for Mendoza's gritty touchdown run on 4th and 5 in the fourth quarter. It'll go down as one of the best runs in college football history from one of just 18 players to win the Heisman Trophy and National Championship in the same season.

"Fernando trucked the linebacker, broke a few tackles," Cignetti said postgame. "Let me tell you, Fernando, I know he's great in interviews and comes off as the All-American guy, but he has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition. That guy competes like a warrior."

"He got really smacked a few times in this game. That one drive we kicked a field goal, there should have been two roughing the quarterbacks and one high hit to the head that weren't called. I'm all for letting them play, but when they cross the line you've got to call them. Can't say enough about his effort on that play and our team finding a way to get it done."

To buy the Sports Illustrated Indiana National Championship cover, visit this link.

Curt Cignetti Contract Bonuses Triggered Amid Historic Season

Curt Cignetti Matched 126 Years Of Indiana Football History In One Season

Big Ten Network Airing Indiana Football Celebration Marathon

Indiana-Miami National Championship Draws Massive Viewership Numbers