Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was already seen as a top NFL prospect before Monday’s College Football Playoff title game, but his game-clinching touchdown run on fourth down may have cemented his place atop the NFL Draft board.
Mendoza took a quarterback draw into the heart of the Miami Hurricanes defense on 4th down with just over nine minutes left in the game, bouncing off a tackle attempt and diving over the goal line. The score gave the Hoosiers a 24-14 lead and they would hang on to win 27-21.
The run earned praise for Mendoza amid predictions that he will be the first player off the board in this year’s draft.
Fernando Mendoza’s NFL Draft Buzz Growing
Mendoza’s touchdown run caught the attention of many on social media, earning praise and some big draft predictions.
“FERNANDO MENDOZA IS THE NO. 1 PICK IN THE DRAFT,” wrote NFL content creator Dov Kleiman in a post on X . “WHAT A FREAKING PLAY THIS KID IS A SUPERSTAR”
Ian Cummings, an NFL Draft analyst with PFSN365, wrote that Mendoza’s touchdown run demonstrated his knack for meeting big moments.
“Eventually it just comes down to: How much do you want it?” Cummings wrote in a post on X . “Fernando Mendoza left it all on the field here. Big delivery in a massive moment.”
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