Following a season that ended in a national championship win, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza prepares for the next step in his football career, the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza exploded onto the scene in his first season with the Hoosiers after transferring from the California Golden Bears. He started all 16 games, completing 273-of-379 passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 182.9 passer rating.
The Heisman Trophy winner brought his popularity to new heights, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in college football. In the age of NIL, he's revealed partnership with major brands such as Adidas, Dr Pepper, Keurig and Epic Games.
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
While his time in Bloomington has come to an end, his personal brand is expected only to grow as he transitions to the NFL. Brands continue to line up to work with Mendoza, who on Monday announced a new partnership with PfizerForAll.
"In football, I know every inch matters," he wrote via an Instagram post. "The same is true for the fight against cancer. I’m proud to partner with Pfizer to remind everyone that early detection makes all the difference. Talk to your doctor and schedule your cancer screenings at PfizerForAll.com/Screenings. @pfizerforall#PfizerPartner#EveryScreenMatters."
"This post is directed to a U.S. audience and may not be suitable outside of the U.S. This video is intended to be viewed as it was originally produced in partnership with Pfizer. Remember, this content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider."
With this latest partnership revealed, Mendoza is widely considered to be the top player available in the upcoming draft. DraftKings Sportsbook gives the former Indiana quarterback the highest odds (-20000) to be the No. 1 pick.
As of now, that would land him with the Las Vegas Raiders, who have not had a winning season since or made a playoff appearance since 2021.
The draft officially begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. However, Mendoza will not be on location in Pittsburgh. Instead, he will be at home in Miami to share the experience with his family.
