Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers finished off their perfect 16-0 2025 college football season with a 27-21 win over Carson Beck and the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship. This ends an impressive College Football Playoff run that saw Indiana also defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl and the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl.
Mendoza had arguably his worst performance of the CFP run in the national championship, completing 16-of-27 passes for 186 yards with no touchdown passes. However, his impressive 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, in which he broke several tackles before diving into the end zone, may have secured the Hoosiers their first title.
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Now, Mendoza has finished his junior season, having played his first two with the California Golden Bears. The quarterback is widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, held by the Las Vegas Raiders, should he decide to declare. But before that decision is made, Mendoza is already making moves elsewhere.
Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza smiles as he celebrates a championship win over Miami.© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Mendoza has built an impressive NIL portfolio during his run with Indiana, valued at $2.6 million, the ninth-highest among all college athletes and seventh among college football players (On3). He has partnered with numerous major brands, including Adidas, Dr. Pepper, Epic Games and T-Mobile.
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On Tuesday, following his national championship win, Mendoza revealed another partnership, teaming up with Dick’s Sporting Goods for a meet-and-greet event. The appearance will be held on Wednesday from 5-6:30 p.m. ET at the E. 3rd St. location in Bloomington, Indiana, where Mendoza will sign “complimentary branded photo cards only.”
Bloomington! I’ll be at @dickssportinggoods tomorrow from 5–6:30 p.m,” Mendoza wrote on his Instagram Story. “Come through to hang and keep the celebration going! #dkspartner”
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While Mendoza’s decision is still pending, preparations for the 2026 NFL Draft have already begun, with the first round set for Thursday, April 23.
Related: Alabama Loses Defensive Lineman to College Football Transfer Portal
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.