The 2026 NFL Draft class has taken a hit with the quarterbacks after most of the top guys have fallen down the board. Penn State’s Drew Allar was lost for the season, while other top guys like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Texas’ Arch Manning, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik have fallen down the board.
Yet, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza might be the one player who has come from nearly out of nowhere to perhaps earn the title as the favorite to be the top quarterback taken in the class right now.
The Steelers have watched Mendoza twice this season, just like they have with most of the quarterbacks as they scour the 2026 class. Yet, Mendoza has not come close to falling off just yet from his play.
The Cal transfer has fit in perfectly with the Hoosiers’ offense and led them to a statement 30-20 win in Autzen Stadium against Oregon and fellow top prospect Dante Moore, who he arguably outperformed.
The 6-foot-5, 225 pound quarterback has completed 73 percent of passes while throwing for 1208 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception this season while the Hoosiers remain unbeaten and on a trajectory to the College Football Playoffs.
Mendoza boasts a rocket arm and fluid decision-making, a pair of traits that have differentiated himself from the 2026 quarterbacks.
While the Steelers will continue to look everywhere at quarterbacks in the class, Mendoza still looks like he could be the most intriguing of the bunch at this point.
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