The most underrated quarterback in the transfer portal! The QB entered the transfer portal after a successful season with the California Golden Bears. When he revealed his intention to leave Cal, everyone was surprised! And why not? At the end of the season, the 6-foot-2 game leader had six interceptions, 3,004 yards and 16 pass TDs. Initial reports indicate that the QB will have a wide range of admirers to choose from as many teams are in the market for a QB.

Who is the QB? Well, we’re talking about none other than Fernando Mendoza. When talking about him, college football analyst Adam Breneman asked: “Where will he end up?.” Do you have any idea? There is still room in the transfer portal for the second-best QB. Right now, there will be a rush of highly regarded programs looking to take advantage of this opportunity. Adam added: “A few weeks later he was in the transfer portal and wrote in his thank you letter: “In the interests of my football future, this is the decision I have made.” The crucial question, however, is who can acquire it.

In Adam Breneman’s words: “Now it looks like he’ll be choosing between Indiana, Georgia and Miami.” Given that he just finished his second season at Cal, it’s safe to assume Mendoza will have two more seasons. Mendoza played outstanding games all season, but Cal finished with a 6-6 record. He shined against a number of notable teams, including Pitt, Miami and Auburn. Now, acquiring Mendoza would be a great move for Indiana and could help the next highly coached Cignetti team qualify for the CFB playoffs.

Interestingly, however, Miami is the only team that wasn’t immediately linked to Mendoza. Coming from Miami, he may be everything the Hurricanes could want at QB. The Bulldogs are the latest team in the transfer portal linked to Mendoza. As the leader of Mike Bobo’s offense, Mendoza could be just as effective as Beck – perhaps a little more accurately. Therefore, Kirby Smarts Georgia also has a good chance of success.

However, it is still unclear whether he is so good that so many initiatives are aimed at him. Check out his total yards over the last two years.

The potential and ability of Cal’s QB

QB Mendoza had an outstanding college career, amassing 4,712 yards in two seasons. This is what it will look like when we evaluate it. In his rookie season (2023), he started eight games and threw 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for 1,708 yards. In his second season (2024), he played in all 11 games and accumulated 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Mendoza’s development as a QB and his important contribution to leading the Golden Bears over the course of his career is evident in his ability to rack up those yards.

Just like his impeccable record, his thank you letter is impossible to ignore. To express his gratitude for his time at Cal, Mendoza said: “I lived a dream and I hope everyone can understand how grateful I am to have been given this opportunity.” He thanked the entire Cal community, coaches and teammates for their support throughout his career. Mendoza called his colleagues “brothers” and emphasized in his letter the close relationships he formed during his time at Cal.

But the Cal quarterback’s ultimate destination remains unclear. We’ll have to wait and see which program has the plan to acquire this exceptional quarterback for their dynasty in 2025.