Overview
- Fox host Colin Cowherd urged the Giants to draft Mendoza and trade rookie Jaxson Dart, citing an unnamed NFL head coach who praised Mendoza as easy to evaluate in Indiana’s pro-style concepts.
- Fans and commentators pushed back online, with Bleacher Report noting Mendoza as the clear betting favorite for No. 1 yet suggesting the Giants could trade down and build around Dart.
- Newsweek reported, via former agent Ben Dogra, that Mendoza declined a larger Miami offer to transfer to Indiana, a single-source claim presented as his choice for development over money.
- SF Racing’s Tom Ryan said a $900,000 Gun Runner colt out of champion Songbird will be named “Mendoza” in honor of the quarterback’s Heisman season.
- Mendoza led 13-0 Indiana to the Big Ten title and the CFP’s top seed, posting 2,980 passing yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions ahead of the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on January 1.