Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Says He’d Be ‘Blessed And Honored’ To Play For Raiders

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is now starting to shift his mindset toward the NFL, which really was his goal when he transferred to Indiana.

Mendoza and the Hoosiers just happened to have a perfect season together that ended with an improbable national championship.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Mendoza said Monday night before receiving the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top college quarterback. “I think now it’s finally settled in, and the dust has started to settle. The national championship, and then boom, next thing you know you’re on a new chapter.”

The latest award ceremony for Mendoza, the transfer from Cal who grew up a few miles from Miami (Fla.)‘s campus, came exactly four weeks after Indiana won its first national championship 27-21 over the Hurricanes in their home stadium. It was also a week before the NFL combine, and just over two months from the opening night of the draft on April 23, when Mendoza very well could be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders and their new coach.

“I’d be blessed and honored to play for the Raiders, or I’d be blessed to play for any team,” he said. “Any NFL team that drafts me, I’d be ecstatic. I know at the draft, I’ll probably shed a tear or two just because it’s such a full-circle moment for me. … The goal of transferring to Indiana was to make the NFL. It wasn’t to be a great college player. It was to try to develop into being an NFL quarterback one day.”

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Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns whereas finishing 273 of 379 passes (72%) with solely six interceptions. He had 4,712 yards passing and 30 touchdowns in 20 video games over two seasons at Cal, which gave him a late scholarship provide after he had been ready out of highschool to “put myself into pupil debt” to play soccer at Yale — since no athletic scholarships are provided within the Ivy League — as a result of he cherished the sport a lot.

Now the 22-year-old QB is making ready to maneuver on to the very best degree, realizing that school success will not routinely translate to the professionals.

“Faculty is nice, however that half’s behind me,” he stated. “I really feel like I have been glad with my school profession. Nonetheless, now I am on to the NFL profession. It requires a brand new ability set. It is a grown man’s league.”

When Mendoza accepted the Heisman Trophy in December, his intention was to maintain the trophy in Bloomington without end, the place he felt it belonged.

It wasn’t till a few weeks later, when the Heisman Trophy was in a case on the Indiana campus, that he realized he additionally bought one in every of his personal to maintain.

“Then I took it again dwelling, and so it’s in my lounge, which is nice,” he stated. “Take into consideration that ornament.”

He even took his trophy to St. Paul Catholic Middle in Bloomington, the place he frequently attended Mass, to share with the church leaders round Christmas. He additionally hopes to take the trophy to his highschool in Miami.

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The ceremony for the Davey O’Brien Award, named for the previous TCU quarterback and 1938 Heisman winner, is held only some miles from the TCU campus. That can also be the place the quarterback who possible will exchange Mendoza was a starter the previous three seasons.

Josh Hoover threw for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns over 36 video games for the Horned Frogs earlier than leaving within the portal for Indiana even earlier than the nationwide championship recreation.

Mendoza stated he hadn’t had the chance to talk with Hoover, and stated any recommendation he would have for his successor can be given in particular person.

Reporting by The Related Press.