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Bloomington, IN – Fernando Mendoza’s remarkable ascent in college football culminated in a 2025 season for the ages, leading Indiana University to its first outright Big Ten championship since 1945 and a College Football Playoff National Championship. The redshirt junior quarterback, who transferred to IU from California before the 2025 season, is now widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza’s story is one of strategic ambition, exceptional performance, and a transformative impact on a program that had long sought a return to national prominence.

Mendoza’s decision to transfer wasn’t about escaping a bad situation at Cal. rather, it was a calculated move to maximize his potential. He sought a system and a coach who could refine his skills and prepare him for the professional level. He found that in Curt Cignetti, who promised to mold him into the “best Fernando Mendoza possible,” a pledge that resonated more powerfully than offers from established “blue bloods” like Georgia and Missouri, according to Mendoza himself. The gamble paid off spectacularly.

The 2025 season saw Mendoza shatter expectations. He threw for 2,980 yards and a nation-leading 33 touchdowns against only six interceptions, adding six rushing scores to his impressive tally. This performance earned him the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, the AP College Football Player of the Year, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Manning Award, and consensus All-American honors, alongside being named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year. His impact wasn’t just statistical; it was transformative for the entire Indiana program.

Mendoza’s college career statistics paint a picture of consistent excellence. Over three seasons at Cal and Indiana, he completed 68.6% of his passes for 8,247 yards, with 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He too contributed 467 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. His Wikipedia page details his journey from Boston to Miami, and ultimately to college football stardom.

The transfer wasn’t without introspection. Mendoza expressed feeling “a little bit guilty” about leaving Cal, acknowledging the relationships he built there, but ultimately believing Indiana offered the best path forward.

Before arriving at Indiana, Mendoza had a solid foundation at California. Sporting News detailed his two-year starting tenure at Cal, a period he cherished despite the desire for a new challenge.

Mendoza’s success also highlights the impact of the transfer portal in modern college football. His arrival immediately elevated Indiana into a national powerhouse, demonstrating the potential for programs to quickly improve by attracting established talent. The Hoosiers’ 13-0 regular season and Big Ten championship are a testament to this strategy.

Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Mendoza as he prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts are already evaluating his skillset, and he is widely considered the frontrunner for the top overall pick. His combination of passing accuracy, rushing ability, and leadership qualities make him a highly coveted prospect. The next step in his football journey promises to be just as captivating as his collegiate career.

What do you think about Mendoza’s future in the NFL? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow IU football fans!

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is rapidly approaching, kicking off on Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (noon ET, broadcast on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network). As teams finalize preparations, all eyes are on Andretti Global, a storied name in motorsports undergoing significant changes for the upcoming season. The team is looking to build on a 2025 season that showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short of championship contention.

Andretti Global enters 2026 with a revamped driver lineup and latest leadership, aiming to translate potential into consistent performance. The team will field a trio of drivers: veteran Will Power, alongside Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson. The organization is banking on a blend of experience and youthful talent to challenge for wins and a place at the top of the standings. A key element of their strategy will be integrating new team principal Ron Ruzewski, a seasoned executive formerly with Team Penske.

2025 Season Review: A Year of Ups and Downs

The 2025 season presented a mixed bag of results for Andretti Global. Kyle Kirkwood demonstrated early promise, securing three victories in the first eight races – at Long Beach (from the pole position), Detroit, and World Wide Technology Raceway. However, a slump in the latter half of the season saw his average finish drop to 12.9 over the final nine races. Despite this, Kirkwood achieved a career-best fourth-place finish in the championship standings, a result that could have been even higher. A post-race penalty at Indianapolis, however, significantly impacted his final position.

Colton Herta, in his final full-time season before transitioning to racing in Europe, delivered a pair of third-place finishes at Detroit and Laguna Seca, along with two pole positions (Detroit and Toronto). Despite a strong start to the season with four consecutive top-four qualifying efforts, his average finish in those races was only 8.5. He ultimately finished seventh in the points standings, losing a tiebreaker to Felix Rosenqvist for sixth place after finishing second in the standings the previous year. Marcus Ericsson faced a challenging year, securing only two top-10 finishes – fifth in Toronto and sixth in St. Petersburg. He also experienced a controversial disqualification from second place at the Indianapolis 500 due to an equipment violation, and Kirkwood’s car faced a similar penalty, resulting in finishes of 31st and 32nd respectively.

Key Changes for 2026: Power Arrives, Ruzewski Leads

The most notable change for Andretti Global is the arrival of Will Power, who joins the team after 17 seasons with Team Penske. Power secured a victory at Portland in 2025, his 45th career race win, and a record-extending 71st career pole at Road America, finishing ninth in the overall standings. Alongside Power’s arrival, Ron Ruzewski steps into the role of team principal, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time at Team Penske. Rob Edwards has transitioned to the role of chief performance officer of Andretti Global’s parent company, TWG Motorsports. A significant change at the Indianapolis 500 will see the absence of Marco Andretti as a driver for the first time since 2006, marking the first time since 1964 that an Andretti will not be behind the wheel for the iconic race. The team has yet to announce a fourth driver for the Indy 500, but Colton Herta is considered a strong candidate.

Kirkwood: A Championship Contender?

Despite finishing fourth in the 2025 standings, Kyle Kirkwood was arguably closer to a championship run than the results indicate. A penalty assessed after the Indianapolis 500, where he initially finished sixth, effectively cost him 24 points, a margin that would have placed him ahead of third-place Scott Dixon in the final standings. Kirkwood’s performance in 2025 demonstrated his ability to win on both street circuits (four wins) and ovals (one), showcasing his versatility. He has signed a multiyear contract extension with Andretti Global, signaling the team’s confidence in his potential.

Adding an interesting dynamic to the team is the developing relationship between Power, and Ericsson. Ericsson noted Power’s unexpected technical depth, stating, “He’s a lot more technical than I expected…I guess that’s why he’s been (competing) so long and is still so good at it.” He also described Power as surprisingly talkative, sharing that Power frequently initiates lengthy phone conversations.

As Andretti Global prepares for the 2026 season, the team’s success will hinge on effectively integrating its new personnel and capitalizing on the strengths of its driver lineup. The season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, offering an early glimpse into the team’s potential. The combination of Power’s experience, Kirkwood’s talent, and Ruzewski’s leadership positions Andretti Global as a team to watch in the upcoming IndyCar season.

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Andretti Global in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below.