Indiana's Fernando Mendoza 'definitely deserves some Heisman support,' ex-Hoosiers star says

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza received massive support from alumn Trent Green in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered the fray as one of the top players in the nation this season as the Big Ten school is poised to finish the regular season undefeated.

The Cal transfer, who is in his first season at Indiana, has 2,641 passing yards and is tied in the national lead with 30 touchdown passes. He’s among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy this year with the best odds going into the final game of the regular season against Purdue, according to FOX Sports.

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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025.  (Matthew O'Haren/Imagn Images)

Trent Green, an Indiana alum himself, took notice of Mendoza’s ability and was banging the drum for the young quarterback’s Heisman Trophy candidacy.

"Mendoza definitely deserves some Heisman support. I’ll start it right now. I think there’s a long list of people that have started it before me, but what he’s been able to do, what Curt Cignetti’s been able to do since he came over as head coach. I thought last year was just a phenomenal season for them to make it into the College Football Playoff to play Notre Dame," Green told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

Green pointed to the close games in which Indiana was able to eke out wins in the fourth quarter. Late interceptions nearly crushed the Hoosiers, but Mendoza was able to lead his team to victories.

In one of those games, he found wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a go-ahead touchdown. Cooper