Indiana’s rise from college football mediocrity this season was nothing short of fascinating. Curt Cignetti brought the Hoosiers from a 3-9 record in 2023 to an 11-2 season that saw them face Notre Dame in round one of the college football playoffs. Now Cignetti and the Hoosiers are elevating their program once again with one of the best transfer quarterbacks in the country.

Fernando Mendoza was integral in Cal’s difficult-to-figure-out offense that was at one point deemed the “Calgorithm.” Mendoza threw for just over 3,000 yards this season and 16 touchdowns. He’s not a running quarterback, but did total 105 rushing yards on 87 attempts. 

Mendoza’s 2024 numbers are not exceedingly special, but Mendoza ran an effective Cal offense against some solid teams. He threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in a surprise win over Auburn, pushed Florida State to the brink with 303 yards in the air, and lit up Wake Forest for 385. He is also a proven player who Cignetti can trust to take over after Kurtis Rourke.

What should really excite Hoosier’s fans and college football fans alike is Mendoza’s proven growth. The redshirt sophomore massively improved his passing in his second season with the Bears. He threw for 1,296 more yards, improved his completion percentage by 5.7%, threw four more touchdowns, and four fewer interceptions. Mendoza has proven his ability to improve and it would not be a surprise to see a 4,000-yard, 20-passing TD year from the new Hoosier in 2024.