History of Indiana QBs in the NFL: Fernando Mendoza leads select group of Hoosiers to reach pros

History of Indiana QBs in the NFL: Fernando Mendoza leads select group of Hoosiers to reach pros originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Fernando Mendoza is expected to have a great shot at becoming the greatest Hoosier QB to play in the NFL.

While the list of Indiana QBs to play in the NFL after the AFL-NFL 1970 merger is quite short (eight total, five got into a game), Trent Green currently stands alone atop the alumni list with over 28,000 passing yards and triple-digit touchdown passes. If Mendoza were to throw for six touchdowns in his rookie year, he would already move up to have the second-most TDs thrown by a Hoosier alum. Mendoza already has one of football's most prestigious awards in all of football with his 2025-26 Heisman Trophy, but he will be looking to his hardware collection in the NFL.

The Offensive Rookie of the Year looks to be well within reach for the Indiana QB, and only time will tell in his NFL capabilities. Here's what to know about the history of Indiana quarterbacks in the NFL, plus how Mendoza's collegiate career stacks up to some of the big names. MORE: Who will be drafted after Fernando Mendoza at the 2026 NFL Draft?

Indiana quarterbacks in the NFL Dating back to the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, there have been eight Indiana quarterbacks drafted to the NFL. Despite the number, only five Hoosier QBs have seen any time on the field. To boot, only three of them have started an NFL game prior to Mendoza's entry to the league.