CBS Sports writer Ryan Wilson posted an early pre-season 2026 mock draft, and the Pittsburgh Steelers selected junior Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round.
Here is what CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson had to say in a scouting report about Mendoza:
Pocket passer but not a statue; he buys time with subtle pocket movements, excels off-platform and when needed, can stride out in open field. Will get through reads while hanging in a pocket closing in around him. Consistently played with pressure in his face, yet consistently stood tall in the pocket and delivered strikes to all three levels on time and accurately. Ball consistently comes out on time and with touch/accuracy to all three levels. Good feel for pocket pressure, can climb with eyes downfield and deliver accurately off-platform.
The 13 prospects chosen before Mendoza were LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker, Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano, Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams, Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers, Auburn offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin and Alabama edge rusher L.T Overton.
After two years as a starter at Cal, Mendoza entered the portal ranked as the No. 20 overall player in the On3 Industry rankings and the No. 4 quarterback.
The 6-foot-5 and 225-pound redshirt junior was 265-of-386 (68.7%) throwing for 3,004 yards, with 16 touchdowns, and six only interceptions. The Miami, Florida native also ran for 105 yards and two scores on the ground in 2024.
He will replace Kurtis Rourke, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, by the San Francisco 49ers.
Rourke led the Indiana Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff and a program-best 11 wins. Mendoza's will have big shoes to fill even though Rourke only played at IU for one lone season.
In that season (2024-25), he threw for 3,042 yards passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, the single-season program record and .694 completion percentage for the season to only 6 interceptions.
Mendoza is projected to have a huge year ahead of him, possibly the best year by a quarterback in Hoosiers history.
Indiana's Fernando Mendoza in the top 15 on this list of returning QBs. Luke Altmyer at Illinois #15 and Penn State's Drew Allar #3. Another familiar name is former #iufb commit TCU's @JoshJHoover, who is expected to be the top QB in the Big 12. pic.twitter.com/yagzsvRxxv
— Jim Coyle (@jimcoyleISB) June 10, 2025