In the high-stakes theater of American football, the transition from college legend to NFL prospect is rarely a smooth one. However, for Indiana University’s star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the journey to the 2026 NFL Draft has already ignited a firestorm of controversy. Just moments after Mendoza officially announced his intent to enter the draft—famously declaring his LinkedIn status as “open to work”—the sports world was treated to a brutal reality check from one of its most outspoken voices: Coach JB.
On a recent episode of “The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty,” the atmosphere turned electric as the panel dissected Mendoza’s professional prospects. While fans in Indiana are still basking in the glow of a 16-0 season and a National Championship, Coach JB provided a scathing assessment that has sent shockwaves through the scouting community. His verdict? Mendoza is “f***ing overrated” and perhaps the “worst Heisman winner in 25 years.”
The debate centers on a fundamental question that plagues every NFL front office: Is the player the engine of the team, or merely a passenger in a high-performance system? For Coach JB, the answer is clear. He argues that Mendoza’s success at Indiana was a “perfect storm” created by an older, experienced roster and a system that didn’t require him to be a “difference-maker” with his arm. JB pointed to specific games, such as the matchup against Miami, where he claims Mendoza struggled once the defense applied pressure, managing only one completion in the second half.
“The guy had the trifecta of awards,” JB barked during the broadcast, “but we’re putting him on this pedestal because the f***ing class is shitty as hell. There’s no quarterback in the class, so we’re making him better than he is.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among some analysts that the 2026 quarterback class lacks elite depth, potentially leading desperate teams—like the Las Vegas Raiders—to overdraft a player who may not be ready for the professional grind.
The conversation took a particularly sharp turn when discussing the Las Vegas Raiders, who currently hold the number one pick. The panel debated whether the struggling franchise should take a gamble on Mendoza. Steve, a frequent contributor to the show, argued that the Raiders are “not a player away; they are a team away.” He suggested leveraging the top pick to rebuild from “Ground Zero” rather than pinning their hopes on a prospect he doesn’t see at the level of a John Elway or an Andrew Luck.
Max Crosby’s name was also brought into the fray, with the panel questioning how the veteran leader would react to the team drafting a “system guy” after previously pushing for high-profile talents like Shedeur Sanders. The tension on the show was palpable as Big Smitty attempted to defend Mendoza’s “it factor” and intangibles. Smitty argued that while Mendoza might not have the strongest arm in history, his leadership and toughness—playing through a busted lip and leading his team to a 16-0 record—cannot be ignored.
“Intangibles are great when you’re in Pop Warner,” JB retorted. “Not in the f***ing NFL when you have no team around you. You’ve got to make that opposite hash throw under duress.” JB’s critique highlights the cold, hard reality of the NFL: heart and grit are secondary to the physical ability to make professional-level throws against elite coverage.
Mendoza’s declaration video, which was played during the show, presented a sharp contrast to the heated studio debate. In the clip, the young quarterback appeared humble and deeply grateful, thanking his family, teammates, and coaches while giving “glory to God.” Even JB conceded that he seemed like a “good kid,” though he quickly returned to his professional critique, suggesting that his personality wouldn’t save him on a “shitty roster.”
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the “Mendoza Debate” is likely to become a central theme. Is he the gritty, winning leader who found a way to the top of the college mountain? Or is he, as Coach JB suggests, a “nerdy” system quarterback who will be exposed by the speed and complexity of the NFL?
For the Raiders and other teams sitting at the top of the draft board, the choice is fraught with risk. If they pass on a Heisman winner who went undefeated, they risk missing out on a proven winner. If they draft him and he fails to adapt, it could set the franchise back for years. One thing is certain: as Mendoza prepares to change his status from “student” to “professional,” the critics are already lined up, and Coach JB is leading the charge with a megaphone. The road to the draft just got a lot more interesting, and the pressure on Fernando Mendoza has never been higher.
