Indiana backup QB Alberto Mendoza announces transfer to Georgia Tech hours after CFP victory
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- Indiana backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza announced his transfer to Georgia Tech the day after winning the College Football Playoff championship alongside his Heisman-winning older brother Fernando.
- The move comes after Indiana recruited former TCU starter Josh Hoover, signaling the Hoosiers have a successor in place with Fernando Mendoza’s likely NFL departure.
- With three years of eligibility remaining, Alberto Mendoza completed 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns in limited action during Indiana’s undefeated season.
Alberto Mendoza won the College Football Playoff national championship with Indiana on Monday night as the backup quarterback to his older brother, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
The next day, the younger Mendoza announced his transfer to Georgia Tech, a decision he says he made “after a lot of prayer, reflection and conversations with my family.”
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” he wrote in a statement posted on Instagram, “but opportunities in this game are short, and sometimes chasing your dreams requires difficult choices.”
Fernando Mendoza and Indiana bullied their way into the history books, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story.
Mendoza has three years of eligibility remaining after redshirting his first season at Indiana in 2024. He didn’t get on the field much this season but made the most of his playing time when he got it, completing 18 of 24 passes for 286 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 190 yards in 13 attempts with one touchdown.
Fernando Mendoza was the Hoosiers’ breakout star during their undefeated run to their first national title in football. After transferring to Indiana following two seasons at California, the former two-star recruit completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions.
During the Hoosiers’ quarterfinal victory against Alabama and semifinal win against Oregon, the Associated Press college football player of the year combined for more touchdown passes (8) than incompletions (5). He also rushed for seven touchdowns this season, including a spectacular 12-yard scramble on fourth and four with 9:18 left in the championship game to help lift Indiana to a 27-21 victory.
Legal scholars say it’s unclear how a judge and potential arbitrator might resolve the lawsuit demanding UCLA honor its lease at the Rose Bowl.
Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to enter the NFL draft and very well could be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick. Indiana already appears to have his successor in place.
Former Texas Christian quarterback Josh Hoover committed to coach Curt Cignetti’s program this month. Hoover went 19-12 as the Horned Frogs’ starter and completed 65.2% of his passes for 9,629 yards with 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. He also rushed for eight touchdowns.
The addition of Hoover appears to have prompted Alberto Mendoza to look for opportunities elsewhere. While the transfer portal closed for most players last Friday, players from Indiana and Miami are allowed to enter through Saturday because of their participation in the national title game.
