No Longer a Rumor: Indiana’s 2025 Maxwell Award–Winning QB Publicly Declares He Wants Only the Colts Amid Indianapolis’ QB Crisis — “My Heart Belongs to Indianapolis”

Indianapolis, Indiana – The speculation is officially over. Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Maxwell Award winner and the most accomplished quarterback in college football this season, has publicly declared that his sole desire is to join the Indianapolis Colts. In a league where draft leverage is usually guarded with silence, Mendoza’s message was direct, emotional, and impossible to ignore — especially for a franchise desperate for clarity at quarterback.

The Maxwell Award, presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football player, is not simply a statistical honor. It recognizes excellence, leadership, toughness, and impact. For Mendoza to earn it as Indiana’s quarterback was historic. For him to follow that achievement by openly tying his future to the Colts has sent shockwaves across NFL front offices.

Mendoza’s 2025 season left little doubt about his readiness for the next level. He threw for over 3,800 yards, accounted for 40 total touchdowns, and posted a completion rate north of 68 percent while limiting mistakes against top Big Ten competition. Beyond the numbers, scouts consistently praised his command at the line of scrimmage, pocket awareness, and ability to elevate those around him — traits that translate cleanly to Sundays.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis remains mired in uncertainty at the most important position in sports. Injuries, inconsistency, and short-term fixes have defined the Colts’ recent quarterback history, leaving the roster without a true long-term leader under center. Inside the organization, there is growing acknowledgment that stability at QB is no longer optional — it is foundational.

That context made Mendoza’s words resonate even louder.

“This isn’t something I’m saying for attention or leverage,” Mendoza said. “I grew up watching this franchise, understanding the expectations and the pressure. I know what Indianapolis demands from its quarterback — and I want that responsibility, because my heart belongs to Indianapolis.”

Sources around the league say Colts decision-makers have taken notice not only of Mendoza’s talent, but of his maturity and intent. Publicly aligning himself with one franchise carries risk, but it also signals confidence — a quarterback willing to shoulder expectations before ever taking an NFL snap.

For Indianapolis, the appeal goes beyond upside. Mendoza represents a potential reset: a young, decorated quarterback who has already proven he can lead, absorb pressure, and perform when the spotlight is brightest. The Maxwell Award validated his college dominance; his declaration suggests he is ready for something bigger.

What was once whispered as speculation has now become a statement of purpose. Fernando Mendoza has drawn a line, and he has drawn it clearly. As the Colts search for answers at quarterback, one of the most decorated players in college football has already made his choice — and Indianapolis is at the center of it.