BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti joined the show ahead of a busy NFL Draft for the Hoosiers and before Indiana’s annual Spring Game.
Cignetti talked about all of the hard work former Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the rest of his teammates put in ahead of this year’s NFL Draft.
“He’s earned it,” Cignetti said about Mendoza. “I’m so happy for him and all the other ones that are going to get drafted or end up in NFL camps. It’ll be an exciting three days, those guys put it between the white lines. Fernando led the charge, winning the Heisman, No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, so it’ll be a great night.”
“He’s just wired differently,” Cignetti said about Mendoza. “Extremely intelligent, giving, active with the community, every interview is an A plus. He’s got a load of potential and nobody prepares to be the best he can be at his craft like Fernando. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The Hoosiers have a new quarterback this season in the TCU transfer Josh Hoover. Hoover has thrown for nearly 10,000 passing yards already in his career and Coach Cignetti is excited about the potential he shows.
“I’d say Josh is right where Fernando was last year and Kurtis the year before,” Cignetti said. “He knows how to play quarterback. He’s thrown for a lot of yards and touchdown passes. He’s a quick thinker, nice touch, accurate with the ball. I like where he’s at.”
Coach Cignetti will also be driving the pace car for this year’s Indianapolis 500 and he is excited to lead the way.
“It’s a great event and it’s part of the fabric of the state,” Cignetti said. “I can remember watching the Indy 500 growing up, so I just hope I can handle it. I’m looking forward to getting done with spring ball tonight and preparing a month from now for the Indy 500.”