How Alberto Mendoza is related to Fernando Mendoza and why he left Indiana for Georgia Tech
The young quarterback decided to take a different path in his career.
A lberto Mendoza was part of the Indiana team that captured the College Football National Championship . However, he chose not to continue his career with the program that produced the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, during the offseason, he embraced a new challenge by transferring to Georgia Tech , where he begins a new chapter on Thursday against Colorado .
For many college football fans, Mendoza is instantly recognizable. His last name, appearance, and position on the field naturally draw comparisons to the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza .
Alberto Mendoza is determined to carve out his own legacy
Yes, Alberto is the younger brother of Fernando Mendoza , the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft , who now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Last season, Alberto served as Fernando's backup at Indiana, stepping in whenever his older brother left the field. Now, however, he has decided to move beyond that supporting role and create his own identity.
After watching Fernando thrive following his transfer from Cal to Indiana, Alberto followed a similar path, entering the transfer portal in search of an opportunity to become a starting quarterback.
Why did Alberto Mendoza leave Indiana?
The answer is simple: he wanted a legitimate chance to earn a starting job.
Although Fernando's departure appeared to open the door at Indiana, there was no guarantee Alberto would inherit the starting role. In today's college football landscape, where programs routinely use the transfer portal to upgrade the quarterback position, the Hoosiers brought in former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover , significantly reducing Mendoza's chances of taking over the offense.
Rather than wait, Alberto took control of his future by entering the transfer portal and finding a program willing to invest in him.
That opportunity came at Georgia Tech, a school that has recently helped transfer quarterbacks flourish.
Last season, Haynes King led the Yellow Jackets to one of their best campaigns in years, finished among the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting , and eventually earned an opportunity in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers .
Alberto Mendoza is still a long way from reaching that stage, but he now has the chance to develop as Georgia Tech's starting quarterback and prove he can succeed on his own merits.
With this move, he steps out of the shadow of being known as simply "the other Mendoza" at Indiana and begins the process of establishing himself as the new leader of the Yellow Jackets' offense.
