Fernando Mendoza made a defining decision last winter. He turned down a larger NIL offer to bet on his long term future.
The quarterback declined a richer deal from Miami. Instead, he chose Indiana, believing the move would better prepare him for the next level.
One win away from a national championship, that gamble is close to paying off.
Mendoza has led Indiana through one of the most remarkable seasons in college football history. The Hoosiers won their first Big Ten title since 1967. Mendoza also became the first player in school history to win the Heisman Trophy.
The California transfer has been dominant. He has thrown for 3,349 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. Under his leadership, Indiana entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 team and has not slowed down.
The decision to leave money on the table nearly never happened.
Former agent Ben Dogra revealed that Mendoza turned down a significantly higher NIL offer from the Miami Hurricanes. Miami’s proposal exceeded $3 million. Indiana’s deal was worth roughly $2.3 million.
That gap ultimately pushed Miami to pursue Carson Beck instead.
For Mendoza, the choice was never just about money. He wanted development. At Indiana, he joined Curt Cignetti’s system. He also had the chance to play alongside his brother, Alberto.
Mendoza believed Indiana offered a clearer path to becoming an NFL quarterback.
“That’s coaching,” Dogra said. “He thought he’d have a better chance to grow and get ready for the next level.”
That belief has been validated. Mendoza has surged to the top of draft boards and is now widely viewed as the projected No. 1 overall pick.
One more win would turn a calculated risk into a championship legacy. Indiana is now chasing history, with Mendoza at the center of it.
