The No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers’ improbable run to the College Football Playoff National Championship culminated in a 27-21 victory over the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes, capping an undefeated 16-0 season and delivering the program’s first national title.
The Hoosiers were led by Heisman Trophy winner and projected 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, whose leadership and performance under center were central to Indiana’s storybook season. Mendoza transferred to Indiana from the Cal Golden Bears and became a transformative figure for the offense in 2025.
With the season over, Mendoza is expected to declare for the NFL draft, which would leave Indiana’s quarterback room in an intriguing position moving forward.
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But it appears Indiana will be without any Mendoza quarterback in 2026 as Fernando's younger brother Alberto Mendoza prepares to explore his next step.
On Tuesday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Alberto Mendoza plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
He spent two seasons with the Hoosiers and played in nine games in 2025, completing 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns with one interception, while rushing for 190 yards and a score on 13 carries.
Alberto Mendoza’s decision comes after Indiana recently added TCU Horned Frogs transfer QB Josh Hoover, who is expected to compete for the starting job, potentially motivating Alberto to seek playing time elsewhere. His exit clears space in a room that once featured both brothers.
The news also arrives amid swirling speculation about head coach Curt Cignetti’s future, with NFL teams reportedly monitoring his stock after he guideda dramatic turnaround in Bloomington. Still, Cignetti has downplayed that talk in recent days, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to the college game. “I’m not an NFL guy,” he said ahead of the national title game. “I made that decision a long time ago. I’ve always been a college football guy” (via On3’s Brett McMurphy).