Fernando Mendoza's journey from 'average' high school QB to NFL Draft

Fernando Mendoza wasn't a can't miss superstar in high school. Not even close . As a senior at Cristopher Columbus High School in Miami in the 2022 class, 247Sports rated Mendoza as the 250th best recruit in Florida .

He was never considered for the USA Today Florida Network's top 100. Even Mendoza's high school coach didn't feel the quarterback was the best prospect in his own family. "He wasn’t a finished product in high school," Columbus coach Dave Dunn said.

"His younger brother, Alberto , was a much more finished product. He even said at one time he was like a baby giraffe in high school. But he had knowledge and work ethic.

He’s worked so hard. " In an era when most elite prospects sign during the early signing period in December, Mendoza had to wait until late January of his senior year to even get an FBS offer. Fast forward four years and Mendoza has a full trophy case from his historic season at Indiana and is the overwhelming favorite to be the No.