2025 Countdown to Kickoff: #16 – Alberto Mendoza
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 203 pounds
Hometown: Miami, Florida (Christopher Columbus High School)
Class/Position: Redshirt Freshman/Quarterback
Less than one percent of high school football players earn an FBS scholarship. The odds of having a set of brothers that both play quarterback being on scholarship at the same school together are astronomical. We’re talking about Lloyd Christmas type “so you’re saying there’s a chance?” odds here. Yet, Alberto and Fernando Mendoza will begin the 2025 season as the starting and backup quarterbacks for the Indiana Hoosiers. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for the Mendoza family and for both Fernando and Alberto. This countdown piece will now only focus on Alberto though so let’s dive in and get to know the younger Mendoza.
Alberto Mendoza is a native of Miami and he starred for Christopher Columbus High School, earning the Class 4 Metro Florida Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons as he guided his team to a 26-2 record as a starter and two state titles. During his two seasons, he threw for more than 4,500 yards, ran for more than 500 yards and had nearly 60 total touchdowns. That helped earn him a three-star rating and the admiration of the IU coaching staff. They got his commitment prior to the 2024 season and he appeared in one game (Western Illinois) as a true freshman.
Kurtis Rourke departed for the NFL and Tayven Jackson transferred to UCF as the Hoosiers went shopping in the portal for a starting quarterback. They secured the services of Alberto’s older brother Fernando along with veteran Grant Wilson from Old Dominion. Alberto Mendoza, now a redshirt freshman, was very impressive during the spring. He grew a couple of inches and filled out his frame, now measuring 6’2” and 207 pounds. Alberto is not going to threaten Fernando for the starting quarterback position but he’s likely the first man off the bench to get reps when Fernando sits.
The 2025 season, as long as Fernando stays healthy, will ideally be one that sees Alberto Mendoza play during the second half of the three non-conference games as well as a couple of Big Ten games. If everything goes according to plan for his older brother, Fernando Mendoza will play really well and enter the NFL Draft. IU will then have a choice to make: do they trust Alberto Mendoza (or the recovering Tyler Cherry) or 2026 freshman Cash Herrera to lead the offense? Or, do they again go shopping in the portal for a proven starter? Time will tell but if Alberto Mendoza continues to develop, he’ll have every chance to earn significant snaps in Bloomington.
The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!