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Fernando Mendoza leads group of once-overlooked college recruits in the NFL draft
Mendoza went from a late FBS offer and a 250th-place Florida ranking to a Heisman winner and the draft's top quarterback.
- Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in this week's NFL Draft after leading the Hoosiers to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy.
- As a high school senior in 2022, Mendoza was ranked only 250th in Florida by 247Sports, with coaches frequently overlooking his potential in favor of his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza.
- Former California tight end Jack Endries recalled how Mendoza stayed late at the facility after practice, evolving from what opponents called a 'game manager' into an elite quarterback through relentless work ethic.
- Mendoza joins a draft class filled with overachievers including Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia and Wisconsin walk-on Riley Nowakowski, who also defied expectations to reach this professional milestone.
- Carrying a 'chip' on his shoulder from being overlooked, he promises teams, "Whatever team gets me is going to get a hard worker, a heck of a teammate.
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Fernando Mendoza (Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images) Former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is projected to be the number one overall draft pick this week. The Heisman Trophy winner put a bow on his final college game during the big stage in the win against Miami earlier this year. His incredible touchdown run in the fourth quarter provided the game-winning points for his squad. On a fourth down play, he ran the ball,…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left11Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Left
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources lean Left
65% Left
L 65%
C 29%
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