Fact check: Fernando Mendoza NFL combine rumors swirl after misleading Tom Brady claims

Fernando Mendoza had barely finished celebrating a national championship recently when rumors started swirling around the Hoosiers' QB. Within hours of Indiana’s 27-21 win over Miami, social media buzzed with claims that the Heisman-winning quarterback planned to skip a key pre-draft step for a career upgrade to the NFL.

The rumor was that the Heisman-winning quarterback planned to skip the NFL Scouting Combine for a Wall Street internship. The rumor stemmed from a post on X from an account posing as reporter Scott Hughes. The post garnered more than 1.4 million views and initially appeared credible. That credibility quickly fell apart, and The Spun later confirmed the report was false. Mendoza never made any such comment, nor did he signal plans to delay his NFL path.

How a fake report gained traction while Mendoza kept his focus on football

In reality, Mendoza acknowledged how overwhelming draft chatter became during Indiana’s title run. He said, “Friends and family send me things about (the draft). All that stuff about the NFL, it’s a blessing, and the things that I see in articles. However, Monday’s game is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The aforementioned parody account had previously spread false stories, including a fabricated claim involving Adrian Wojnarowski in 2025.

These fake accounts and fake stories show how easily misinformation can resurface when a player reaches this level of attention. On the field, Mendoza finished the season with 3,535 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Those numbers helped Indiana reach a perfect 16-0 record and placed him firmly atop draft boards, including ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s projections. His performance also caught the eye of Las Vegas Raiders co-owner Tom Brady, who attended the title game alongside owner Mark Davis and general manager John Spytek.

Late in the fourth quarter, Mendoza sealed the win with a 12-yard quarterback draw, a moment that visibly impressed Brady.Brady had high praise for Mendoza, stating, “I love everything about his game. His leadership is what stands out to me; it’s his relatability to his teammates. He’s overcome a lot of things in his career.” For a Raiders team holding the No. 1 pick and coming off a turnover-heavy season, Mendoza’s poise, attitude, and performance stand out. While rumors persist, it is clear that Mendoza has a bright future as he enters the big leagues in the future.