The Pittsburgh Steelers made their strategy crystal clear when they didn’t make any major moves at the trade deadline. They remain all in on the 2026 NFL Draft. With that in mind, it’s notable that Pittsburgh has two scouts in attendance at Penn State vs. Indiana today, with top QB prospect Fernando Mendoza playing.
The Steelers sent not one, but two scouts to the game, per Ryan Fowler on X.
The following teams are in attendance for No. 2 Indiana @ Penn State today, source said.
• Steelers (x2)
• Browns (x2)
• Jets (x2)
• 49ers
• Rams
• Packers
• Ravens
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 8, 2025
Indiana was expected to be a fringe top-25 team at the beginning of the season, but they are now No. 2 in the nation in large part because of Mendoza. Some outlets highlighted him as a potential breakout candidate or an under-the-radar player, but very few had him as a potential top QB this season.
In his first year at Indiana after transferring from Cal, Mendoza has completed 162 of his 224 attempts for 2,124 yards, 25 TDs, and four INTs. He also has 50 rushing attempts for another 220 yards and four TDs on the ground.
Listed at 6-5, 225 pounds, Mendoza has the prototypical size to be an NFL pocket passer with enough mobility to work in the modern game. His accuracy has been off the charts this season, and he performs very well with pressure in his face. You can see all of the above here against Iowa. He delivered a perfectly-placed pass up the seam as he was drilled in the backfield.
Just an ELITE level throw from Mendoza here. Pressure right in his face and is hit as he’s releasing the ball. Despite the hit, he was still able to fire a strike right to the face of his WR running up the seam! pic.twitter.com/gI8XWxbpsa
— Gage Proctor🌵 (@GageProctor12) September 29, 2025
If Mendoza ends up being the top QB taken in the draft, the Steelers likely won’t have a chance at him. The New York Jets, for example, have GM Darren Mougey and other representatives in attendance to watch Mendoza today. They have two first-round picks, and what may end up being the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft if their record holds up.
In addition to Mendoza, Indiana has WR Elijah Sarratt, CB D’Angelo Ponds, and DE Mikail Kamara as draftable prospects this year. Penn State has several as well, with CB A.J. Harris, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, OG Olaivavega Ioane, RB Nicholas Singleton, S Zakee Wheatley, and OT Drew Shelton headlining the list.
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