'He's a throwback': Fernando Mendoza keeps business focus as NFL Draft waits
Fernando Mendoza's passion for finance has helped him become a better football player, he says, as the Heisman winner prepares for the 2026 NFL draft.
Of the 300 students Steve Etter teaches every semester, more than 95%, according to Etter’s best estimate, perform financial functions via Microsoft Excel. The vast minority rely on the traditional handwritten method, using formulas, a pencil and a piece of paper. And those who watched college football in 2025 can easily assume which category Fernando Mendoza falls into.
“Fernando is a formula guy,” Etter said. “I guess the way I would say it: he’s a throwback. ” Etter taught Mendoza at the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley, first in a financial literacy course geared toward athletes and later in corporate finance.
By now, most are aware of Mendoza’s business acumen and the professional path almost taken. Mendoza used his name, image and likeness (NIL) earnings to pay for his final three classes at Haas so he could graduate in three years. He pursued a master’s degree at Indiana University, the school he led to its first national title last season while he took home the Heisman Trophy .
Now he’s nearly a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. “You could just see it.
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