Fernando Mendoza has already accomplished more than most college quarterbacks could ever imagine before even taking an NFL snap. He led the Indiana Hoosiers football to a national championship, won the Heisman Trophy and became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Now, the rookie quarterback has added another milestone to a remarkable year.
Mendoza went viral this weekend after returning to the University of California, Berkeley to officially walk in the school’s graduation ceremony and receive his undergraduate degree from Cal.
The moment quickly gained attention online because it perfectly captured how unusual Mendoza’s football journey has been over the past year.
