The Hoosiers have reportedly landed a priority transfer portal target at quarterback.
Indiana has reportedly landed a commitment from former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of the transfer portal, per NBC’s Nicole Auerbach:
News: Cal QB Fernando Mendoza has committed to Indiana, source tells @NBCSports.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 24, 2024
Mendoza later confirmed his commitment to Hayes Fawcett of On3:
BREAKING: Cal transfer QB Fernando Mendoza has Committed to Indiana, he tells @On3sports
The 6’5 225 QB totaled 3,004 yards and 16 TDs this season
Ranked as the No. 2 QB in the Portal (On3 Industry)https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/NqH8Po44So
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 24, 2024
Indiana exited signing day with Curt Cignetti directly saying the program planned on signing a quarterback out of the transfer portal given the impending loss of Kurtis Rourke to exhausted eligibility. It appears as though they’ve found their man in Mendoza.
Mendoza just wrapped up his sophomore season with the Golden Bears, passing for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions with a completion rate of 68.7%. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
He has an existing relationship to IU through his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, who was a freshman on this past season’s Indiana team. He’ll be working with reported new quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer following the departure of Tino Sunseri for UCLA.
Mendoza gives the program an experienced hand to turn to as Indiana looks to reload for 2025.