Fernando Mendoza's Impact Already Showing Early in Spring For the Hoosiers

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers are handing the reigns of the offense to a new quarterback this spring in Fernando Mendoza. The redshirt junior comes to IU from Cal where he threw for 3,004 yards in 2024. He has only been in Bloomington a few months, but his impact and leadership are already being felt on the practice field.

“First impression: (Fernando Mendoza) loves the game of football. Just going out there and throwing 7-on-7 routes, he is throwing passing and yelling at us, you know, 'good job' and 'great catch.' He flips the switch a little bit when he is on the field, and I love seeing that. He throws the ball great as you've all seen during Pro Day. He was spinning it. It's all a process and it is not going to happen in one day, so we are just building reps.” Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt said after the second spring practice.

Mendoza was a highly sought after transfer and IU beat out some high powered programs for his services. Curt Cignetti and his staff are understandably high on them.

“We're very high on him.” Cignetti said of Mendoza.

However, there are aspects of Mendoza’s game that Cignetti and his staff think can improve and take him to the next level.

“There's things at Cal that -- he was under duress quite a bit at Cal, so we protected the passer and the pass better, so developing trust and confidence in the pocket, throwing the ball on rhythm, and eye control, those type of things.” Cignetti said.

New quarterback coach Chandler Whitmer, who is also learning Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offense will be working on smaller tweaks to Mendoza’s game.

“ The big thing we're going to be working on him this spring is getting the ball out of his hand on rhythm. A lot of the concepts he's been exposed to, they were probably called differently. Some of the concepts will be a little bit new.” Cignetti added.

Cignetti also has a unique situation with Mendoza as his younger brother Alberto is fighting for the backup role.

“ I've never had that before, but I know the young one will push the old one as hard as he can, and he's got a good future. Two great kids.” Cignetti said.

Mendoza, Whitmer and Cignetti have plenty of time to get Mendoza up to speed before the season opener, but Mendoza’s impact is already being felt on the field.