The NFL scouting combine’s Indianapolis crowd is still not over the exchange or lack thereof between University of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Miami quarterback Carson Beck. Mendoza was met with cheers despite not throwing at the combine, while boos rained down when Beck took the field to receive throwing reps.
Mendoza and Beck’s only matchup came in Indiana’s 27-21 win over Miami in the national championship game. Afterward, Beck received criticism for heading straight to the locker room following the loss. Beck threw for 232 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Mendoza threw for 186 yards and a rushing touchdown, and capped off an undefeated season, giving the program its first national title.
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Mendoza also won the Heisman Trophy. Beck was an early favorite for the award.
Mendoza seamlessly stepped into Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti’s system after spending his first two seasons at the University of California. The 22-year-old quarterback threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Beck threw for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in last season. He spent four seasons at the University of Georgia, where he sat behind Stetson Bennett IV and won back-to-back national championships in his first two seasons. The 23-year-old had up-and-down performances in his final two years at Georgia and transferred after undergoing season-ending UCL surgery.
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Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while Beck is hoping an improved final season and strong testing results will be enough to help him rise up draft boards in a quarterback class where the depth has been questioned.