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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza revealed his stance on dating in college in an interview that resurfaced after he won the National ChampionshipMendoza explained that because he gives “his all” to everything he does, that he wouldn’t have time to balance a girlfriend and his dream of making it to the NFL”And I believe that I will make it to the NFL,” Mendoza, who is expected to be picked No. 1 in the NFL draft, presciently said

Indiana star quarterback Fernando Mendoza has a strong stance on dating in college.

As Mendoza, 22, celebrates leading his Hoosiers to a 27-21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19, a 2024 interview with the quarterback about his dating life is making the rounds online.

The clip, originally posted by TonyBandz in July 2024 when Mendoza was still playing for the UC Berkeley Bears, shows him explaining why he’s not making time for a girlfriend in college. Mendoza said, “I know myself,” and explained that he “can make it to the NFL” if he has a “really, really good next two years.”

“And I believe that I will make it to the NFL,” Mendoza, who is expected to be picked No. 1 in the 2026 NFL draft, presciently said. “However, at this point, I’ve gotta limit all distractions.”

Fernando Mendoza on Jan. 19, 2026.

 CFP/Getty 

The quarterback said he lives “a three minute walk from the facility” at Berkeley, which at the time he said was “very important” to him.

“Especially with the girls, it can be very distracting,” Mendoza continued. “You might find your first love in college, and stuff like that, but…I’m going to give everything my all, so if I have a girlfriend, I’m going to give her my all.”

Mendoza said a girlfriend wouldn’t allow him to train as hard as he’d like.

“That means, I’m gonna go back from 6 to 9 [p.m.] just to hang out with her, maybe get dinner or something, rather than maybe picking up dinner on the way back from class and watching extra film for the game week.”

Fans took notice of Mendoza’s “great discipline” and commended the young athlete’s work ethic.

“The girlfriend will be there when he can handle it the right way. I think he is wise to keep focused. He’s been raised well and I hope he gets everything he aims for,” one fan wrote.

After the Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes to win the championship on Jan. 19, Mendoza shared an emotional moment with his parents, Elsa and Fernando, that touched fans. The quarterback’s brothers, Alberto and Max, were also in Miami to support the Hoosiers.

Elsa described the moment as “so overwhelming” while speaking to The Sporting Tribune after the win. “I don’t even know what I’m feeling. It’s like a numbness,” she told the outlet. “Every hug with him, I know that sounds so cliché, but this is just so special because I know how bad he wanted it and how hard he worked to get here.”