Fernando Mendoza, fresh off transferring to the Indiana Hoosiers from California, topped my QB rankings (with an Arch Manning-sized caveat) as I put together my too-early 2026 NFL Draft big board. Mendoza, who had previously started 19 games behind center at Cal, will join what was an explosive offense in 2024 (Indiana ranked fourth in FEI offense rating in 2024) that returns NFL prospect wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and a slew of transfers up front.
A perceived top quarterback prospect ending up at Indiana, who despite their playoff appearance last season is still generally considered a football middleweight, might cause some pause.