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Fernando Mendoza’s brother made his decision about his playing future after the Indiana Hoosiers clinched the national championship with a win over the Miami Hurricanes.
Alberto Mendoza, who was Fernando’s backup in the 2025 season, will enter the NCAA’s transfer portal. He shared a post from On3 confirming the decision. He appeared in nine games this season for the national champions and made 18 completions for 286 yards and five touchdowns.
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Alberto Mendoza (16) participates in a practice for the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes on January 17, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
He came to Indiana in 2024 when head coach Curt Cignetti took over the team. He appeared in just one game in 2024. Kurtis Rourke was the Hoosiers’ quarterback at the time.
Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana from Cal before the start of the 2025 season. It turned out to be one of the best moves of the college football offseason. Alberto Mendoza played a major role in the transfer, according to The Athletic.
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and quarterback Alberto Mendoza (16) take the field for warmups before the 2025 Big Ten championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 6, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
It didn’t look like Alberto Mendoza had a path to winning the starting quarterback job next season. Previous
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover committed to Indiana via the transfer portal, and his presence will help Indiana recharge for a shot at back-to-back championships.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Alberto Mendoza (16), Greg Cambell (center) and quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) pose after the 2025 Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rose Bowl Stadium on Jan. 1, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
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It is unclear where he may land. There are still a few schools that will be in the market for a quarterback entering the 2026 season.
