Indiana · Big Ten
Of the 22 prior quarterbacks who entered with a 1.01–1.06 SuperFlex rookie ADP, 15 hit top-24 in 1+ season. Fernando Mendoza's tape places him in the upper half of that pool.
All comparables →QB1 of the class. Above-average starter ceiling.
QB1 of the class by a clear margin and the only prospect with a real franchise-starter projection. Prototype frame (6'5", 236) with a Matt Ryan / Jared Goff-style profile — above-average arm, elite processor, face-of-franchise makeup. Meteoric rise from unheralded recruit to Heisman / Davey O'Brien winner / national champion in a single year, as responsible as Cignetti for the Indiana turnaround. 41 TD / 6 INT vs. a loaded '25 slate (Miami CFP title, Oregon x2, Bama, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa) with a red-zone profile that's borderline unreal — 39 TD / 0 INT inside the 20 since '24. Arm is good-not-great with enough juice for every NFL throw, strong ball placement, and late-blooming rushing traits (276 / 7 TDs in '25) that add functional escapability. Limits are real: clear step below the Caleb / Jayden / Maye arm-talent tier, RPO- and cast-dependent efficiency, and heavy-footed pocket athleticism that invites extra hits. Growth-curve prospect — don't expect Day 1 stardom.
IndianaBig Ten
Of the 22 prior quarterbacks who entered with a 1.01–1.06 SuperFlex rookie ADP, 15 hit top-24 in 1+ season. Fernando Mendoza's tape places him in the upper half of that pool.
All comparablesQB1 of the class. Above-average starter ceiling.
QB1 of the class by a clear margin and the only prospect with a real franchise-starter projection. Prototype frame (6'5", 236) with a Matt Ryan / Jared Goff-style profile — above-average arm, elite processor, face-of-franchise makeup. Meteoric rise from unheralded recruit to Heisman / Davey O'Brien winner / national champion in a single year, as responsible as Cignetti for the Indiana turnaround. 41 TD / 6 INT vs. a loaded '25 slate (Miami CFP title, Oregon x2, Bama, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa) with a red-zone profile that's borderline unreal — 39 TD / 0 INT inside the 20 since '24. Arm is good-not-great with enough juice for every NFL throw, strong ball placement, and late-blooming rushing traits (276 / 7 TDs in '25) that add functional escapability. Limits are real: clear step below the Caleb / Jayden / Maye arm-talent tier, RPO- and cast-dependent efficiency, and heavy-footed pocket athleticism that invites extra hits. Growth-curve prospect — don't expect Day 1 stardom.
Tier I · 78%+ hit rate