Fernando Mendoza Unveils Peyton Manning’s Game-Changing Advice That Transformed His Football Journey

What’s the secret sauce behind Fernando Mendoza’s meteoric rise from Indiana’s gridiron hero to potential NFL No. 1 pick? Spoiler alert: it’s not just talent or luck—it’s the meticulous lessons drilled in by none other than Peyton Manning himself. Picture this: Mendoza, fresh from a historic college finale, feeling on top of the world after a flawless play-action pass… only to get schooled on “wrong footwork” by the legend himself. That moment wasn’t just a humbling critique; it was a masterclass on the “fine details” that separate good quarterbacks from great ones. As Mendoza gears up for the NFL Draft spotlight, these nuggets from Manning’s Passing Academy offer a glimpse into the relentless grind behind those highlight reels. Curious how a single tweak in technique could pivot a career? Dive in and see why even the smallest details matter when you’re chasing greatness. LEARN MORE.

As Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza has made history in what was his final season with the program, there’s no doubt he learned a whole lot during that time. With the Indiana football star looking ahead to the NFL Draft, another person he learned from is former quarterback Peyton Manning.

Speaking with Andrew Chernoff, Mendoza would share what he learned from the legendary player when he was in the Manning Passing Academy. It stemmed from criticism that Manning had for the Hoosier.

“Some advice that I got from Peyton in the Manning Passing Academy, it wasn’t all fluff, good advice,” Mendoza said. “It was the first day we were there, we were doing play-action drills, and I was under center…and we’re throwing a hole shot, which is generally a pretty tough throw. I took my drop, did my fake, I threw it. Strike. All the quarterbacks like, ‘Let’s go, Fernando. Hey, good throw.’ And I’m just like, feeling good, like, ‘I just threw a great ball in front of Peyton Manning. And he rips into me. He’s like, ‘That’s the wrong footwork.’”

"That's what makes the Manning's great… It's the fine details"

I asked Fernando Mendoza what the best piece of advice he received from Peyton Manning when he attended the Manning Passing Academy.

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— Andrew Chernoff – WISH-TV (@ADChernoff) January 30, 2026

What Indiana football’s Fernando Mendoza learned from Peyton Manning

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images — Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

While Mendoza led the Indiana football team to a national championship, it came from all the knowledge he gained over the year, especially with Manning. He learned in the camp that it’s all about “the fine details.”

“And I think that the advice, especially with play-action, and how that translates to the NFL, and how that translated to the Indiana offense, always srtuck with me because it says, ‘Okay, yeah, you’ve made a good throw, but the throw won’t be there if the defenders don’t come up and get attracted to the run.’ So that’s a really great story that I always can come back to you about the details…It’s all about the fine details. And at that point, I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s what makes the Mannings great.’ It’s the fine details,” Mendoza said.

At any rate, the Hoosier now looks ahead to the NFL Draft, where he is likely to be the first overall pick.

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