Fernando Mendoza has made it clear. Romance is canceled, dating is on pause and distractions are not welcome.
According to the Indiana quarterback, he does not have time for girls. His only relationship right now is with the NFL Draft.
Mendoza says his full focus is on getting drafted, not hanging out, not sliding into DMs and not being spotted anywhere fun. Just football, just training and just tape.
While most college athletes are balancing classes, games, and social lives, Mendoza is choosing tunnel vision. He is locked in and laser focused.
VIDEO: Fernando Mendoza talking about not having a girlfriend.
“I don’t have time for a girlfriend.If I have one, I’d give her my all—from 6 to 9 PM hanging out, getting dinner—instead of grabbing food quick and watching extra film to reach the NFL.”
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Before joining Indiana for the 2025 season, Mendoza spent three years at Cal and during his time with the Golden Bears, he explained that he feared a girlfriend could derail his chances of reaching the very top.
‘I know myself and I know that (college) is such a short period of time that, if I have a really, really good next year or next two years, I can make it to the NFL and I believe I will make it to the NFL,’ he said.
‘However at this point I have to limit all distractions. I live a three-minute walk from the facility where we have our weight room, our practice facility and our stadium.
‘I think that’s very important living close – especially with the girls, it can be very distracting. You might find your first love in college.’
Mendoza continued: ‘I’m going to give everything my all – so if I have a girlfriend, I’m going to give her my all and that means I’m going to go back from 6pm to 9pm and hang out with her and maybe get dinner or something. Rather than picking up dinner on the way back from class and watching extra film for the game week.’
Whether this mindset actually helps him on draft night remains to be seen. Talent matters and focus matter!
For now, Mendoza is living in a bubble. Wake up, train, study, repeat, no drama and no distractions. Just football and future contracts.
Will this last forever? Probably not. But for now, Fernando Mendoza has made his choice. The NFL Draft comes first, love can wait or at least get put on the practice squad.
