22-year-old Fernando Mendoza had a dream run with the Indiana Hoosiers. The 2025 season ended with a 16-0 record as Mendoza took down the Miami Hurricanes on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.

However, not everyone has been raving about the NCAA champion.

Quincy Avery is a private quarterback coach for the Browns’ Deshaun Watson. And his comment about Mendoza’s playing style has created discourse on his potential online. 

After the Hoosiers won, Avery, in an X post, opined that he doesn’t play a future NFL quarterback is expected to.

“I really like Mendoza. But this isn't quarterbacking like an NFL QB. This is just RPO after RPO,” he wrote. 

He also followed up by saying, “It’s really tough to evaluate.” 

Does Mendoza Shine Because of Simplified College Game Schemes

RPO is short for Run-Pass Option. It is a play where a quarterback reads a specific player during the snap to determine whether he will rush or pull back and throw a quick pass in a vacant space. 

Avery opined that Mendoza is dependent and successful on college level thanks to this convenient play. In his second X post, he suggested that determining whether Mendoza would fare well in the NFL’s complex system is difficult. 

Despite Avery’s doubts, the quarterback’s performance suggests otherwise. In 2025, Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions for 3,535 yards. His completion rate stands at 72 per cent with 273 successful passes out of 379. 

In the fourth quarter of the NCAA finale, his 12-yard rushing touchdown was instrumental in winning the 27-21 game. Among the many attendees, NFL legend Tom Brady and the Raiders’ owner, Mark Davis, were also present and raved about the player.  

Mendoza has achieved the national championship ring and, after winning the coveted Heisman trophy.

He also helped the Hoosiers become the undefeated Big Ten Champions after taking over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Avery might be unsure of Mendoza, but what do you think?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar