BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fernando Mendoza warmed up with his college roommate Wednesday while nearly two dozen former teammates took turns running the 40-yard dash.
Then the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback did what he always seems to do: deliver another impressive performance.
All 32 NFL teams sent scouts to Indiana, more than 100 media members were credentialed, and dozens of family members and friends of ex-Hoosiers showed up for a pro day unlike any other in the football program’s history. Most came to see the guy expected to be the first overall pick of the NFL draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh, and Mendoza didn’t disappoint, using his platform to potentially help his former teammates improve their draft stock.
“I feel like it went great,” Mendoza said after throwing the last of his roughly 56 passes inside the John Mellencamp Pavilion. “You know quarterbacks have passed, have done shorter pro days than that. However, I just wanted to make sure everybody could showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams and really run routes that are applicable to the timing we’re going to be running in the NFL.”
Mendoza threw short, deep and medium-range passes, targeting receivers to the left, right and over the middle. He also threw on the run.