Fernando Mendoza Reveals How He Nearly Committed to Georgia Before Indiana Transfer

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza revealed this week that he nearly committed to Georgia before deciding to make the move to Indiana in the transfer portal.

During an interview on The Ticket 1310 (h/t SI.com's Jonathan Williams), the star quarterback noted that his decision came down to Indiana or Georgia when he chose to transfer from Cal following the 2024 season.

"Really, what it came down to was Indiana and Georgia," Mendoza said. [Georgia head coach] Kirby [Smart], great recruiter, great coach, great program. They were this close to making a national championship. I was really going back and forth between the two. And honestly, I was really confused. I was lost in the sauce because they were both great situations. It was a win-win. It was a really tough decision."

Mendoza added that he had decided to commit to Georgia at one point, but he ultimately reconsidered once his phone call to Smart didn't go through.

"I think there was one time even where I was about to call Kirby to commit to Georgia and the call didn't go through," Mendoza said. "And I thought, 'Alright, let me sleep on it tonight.' I really believed God helped me with that."

After weighing his options again, Mendoza went with the opportunity to play for the Hoosiers under head coach Curt Cignetti, and it was a decision that changed his own life and the trajectory of IU football forever.

Indiana went a perfect 16-0 in 2025, and Mendoza was the biggest reason why, as he completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 276 yards and seven scores.

After dominant wins over Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff, Mendoza and the Hoosiers held on to beat Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, bringing Indiana its first-ever national title in football.

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Given that Mendoza won the Heisman and was widely viewed as the top player in college football last season, it is fair to wonder if he would have guided Georgia to that same championship glory had his call to Smart gone through.

Georgia won back-to-back national titles under Smart in 2021 and 2022, and it was among the best teams in college football again last season, going 12-1 and winning the SEC title before a CFP quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss.

Gunner Stockton was the Bulldogs' starting quarterback, and while he largely played well with 34 total touchdowns and just five interceptions, Mendoza would have likely raised the ceiling of Georgia's offense.

By transferring to Indiana instead of Georgia, Mendoza was instantly installed as the starter and the replacement for Kurtis Rourke, whereas he may have had to compete for the starting job with Stockton at Georgia.

Things could not have worked out much better for Mendoza, as he not only won the Heisman and a national title, but he is also the clear favorite to go first overall in the 2026 NFL draft to the Las Vegas Raiders.