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This time last year, Fernando Mendoza was a few weeks away from committing to Curt Cignetti and the Indiana football program. Fast forward one year, and Mendoza has led the Hoosiers to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship. This is the biggest moment of his career, but it also brings some familiar elements, including the opponent — No. 10 Miami — and the location: his hometown of Miami and Hard Rock Stadium.

“I’ve actually not played in Hard Rock before, but I’ve been to a lot of games there. And it’s a very full-circle moment for myself,” Mendoza said after Indiana’s CFP semifinal victory. “If you open Google Maps and put my address, the University of Miami campus, it’s under a mile away. And I walked there, biked there, played basketball (recreational) games in the offseason there. It means a lot to me, however, I think the National Championship means a lot to everybody. So I wouldn’t want it any other way, on a great stage that the Indiana Hoosiers are going to have to compete their butt off. They’re a great team and really looking forward to the opportunity.”

Under the guidance of Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, Mendoza has taken his game to new heights in just one season. In addition to winning college football’s highest individual honor, the Heisman Trophy, the 6-foot-5 quarterback leads the nation in touchdown passes and is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Not bad for someone who was once ranked as the 2,149th best player in his high school recruiting class.

Ahead of the Hoosiers and Hurricanes’ 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, here’s what to know about why Mendoza never ended up with the Hurricanes despite living in their backyard:

Why didn’t Fernando Mendoza play for Miami Hurricanes?

The answer to this question is layered. The first part involves the Hurricanes’ program during the end of the Manny Diaz era and the start of the Mario Cristobal era. Mendoza wasn’t heavily recruited by the Hurricanes in the 2022 recruiting class, even though he was located just a short distance from their campus. He was even prepared to play college football at Yale, but he flipped to Cal when the Golden Bears joined the recruiting effort in the 11th hour of his senior year.

According to the Miami Herald-Times, the Hurricanes were hesitant to offer Mendoza a preferred walk-on position. “It lit a fire under me,” Mendoza said during the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff. “I was sad, and then I came to a realization: I’m not going to be a Miami football player, but it wasn’t God’s path for me.”

Then came this past offseason when Mendoza decided to enter the transfer portal after three seasons at Cal. The Hurricanes lost out on the Indiana quarterback who has brought multiple “firsts” to the Hoosiers’ program in just one year.

Did Miami recruit Fernando Mendoza?

Yes, as reported by the Indianapolis Star, Cristobal and the Hurricanes made an attempt to recruit Mendoza in the transfer portal last season before landing Carson Beck. Miami was one of several programs that showed interest and had conversations with Mendoza, along with other eventual runner-ups like Georgia and Missouri.

“Football is awesome. It’s almost that part of it coming full circle,” Cristobal said during a CFP availability on Monday, Jan. 12, when asked about the irony of facing the son of his former high school teammate in the national championship game. “The Heisman was earned and well-deserved.”

He added later in that availability: “He really has distinguished himself as the best football player in the country this year, and it’s not by accident. A lot of reps, a lot of hard work, a guy that’s been a complete difference-maker for their program.”

Why did Fernando Mendoza choose Indiana over Miami, Georgia?

In addition to seeking a fresh start and the desire to play for Cignetti and Shanahan, the Hoosiers provided Mendoza with something other programs couldn’t: the chance to play alongside his younger brother, Indiana backup Alberto Mendoza.

“I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that, to see his perspective on the coaching staff, the culture,” Fernando Mendoza told the Indianapolis Star in January of 2024.

What Jimmy Johnson said about Fernando Mendoza playing for Indiana instead of Miami football

Mendoza’s decision to join Indiana over Miami and other programs has sparked discussion among football analysts and fans alike. His journey from being overlooked by Miami to becoming a Heisman winner and NFL prospect highlights the unpredictability of college football recruitment.

Fernando Mendoza transfer rankings

• Star: 4-star
• National ranking: No. 22
• Positional ranking: No. 4

Fernando Mendoza was a top-ranked prospect in the NCAA transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He was listed as a four-star recruit and the No. 4-ranked quarterback in the portal. He was additionally the No. 22 overall player in the portal.