By Mark Pszonak
Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is one of the biggest names currently in the transfer portal. The ex-Cal signal caller had a breakout season in 2024 and has quickly become a top target for several top programs.
Pete Nakos of On3 shared on Thursday that Mendoza had four contenders, but things change quickly in the portal. Here is a closer look at six schools to keep an eye on:
Indiana
This would have been an odd choice four months ago, but a great deal quickly changed in Bloomington. With the Hoosiers in the playoffs, Curt Cignetti already proving himself as an elite coach and the offense being a huge part of the team’s success, Indiana is now a very tempting destination for any portal quarterback.
Georgia
With Carson Beck heading to the NFL, the Bulldogs will likely hit the portal for a replacement. However, with Beck’s current injury situation, there is a chance that Gunner Stockton will be able to audition for the 2025 starting job. The one problem with this scenario is that the Bulldogs play their first playoff game on January 1st, which is after the portal window closes. Portal recruitment tends to move very quickly, so would Mendoza wait that long? And are the Bulldogs willing to wait that long to see how Stockton performs on the big stage?
Miami-Florida
This one just makes too much sense. Mendoza is from Dade County and played his high school football at Miami Columbus. And the Canes will be looking for their next quarterback with Cam Ward heading to the NFL.
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UCLA
The Bruins are another team that is in desperate need of a quarterback. Ethan Garbers is out of eligibility while back-up, Justyn Martin, entered the portal. UCLA has also been linked with Kadin Semonza (Ball State), but Mendoza is their top target right now. This would be a huge addition for coach Deshaun Foster as he continues to work to improve the roster.
Wisconsin
No team on this list is in a more desperate situation at quarterback than the Badgers, who currently have one scholarship signal caller returning from the 2024 season. However, the Badgers are also very involved with Danny O’Neil (San Diego State) and Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland), so this is likely a situation of who commits first.
Missouri
The Tigers were all in on Miller Moss, so with his commitment to Louisville on Saturday, it is likely that they will turn their full attention to Mendoza. Coach Eli Drinkwitz is an underrated portal recruiter and the program has the NIL money to be a contender.
