Fernando Mendoza Teams Up with Will Howard Ahead of 2026 Draft

Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is taking his offseason preparation to an elite level. Mendoza has been working alongside Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard, the most recent national champion before Mendoza, in a unique training collaboration that has drawn national attention. The pairing brings together two recent championship-winning quarterbacks in an unprecedented session ahead of the draft.

Mendoza enters the draft following a flawless 16–0 season at Indiana, capped by a College Football Playoff national championship and the Heisman Trophy. He also collected multiple national awards, establishing himself as the consensus top quarterback prospect for 2026. Howard, meanwhile, led Ohio State to the 2024–25 national title and is now entering his second season in the NFL with the Steelers, offering a bridge between collegiate success and professional expectations.

The collaboration between Mendoza and Howard offers a compelling narrative for draft watchers. With Mendoza opting out of on-field drills at the NFL Combine, his preparation and mechanics are under intense scrutiny, making these offseason sessions a key evaluation point for scouts. Working with a recently transitioned NFL quarterback provides Mendoza a chance to refine both his technical skill and professional insight.

Coverage of the pairing has already drawn attention online. The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared a photo of the session on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the early timing of the workout and highlighting the meticulous preparation Mendoza is undertaking. The image has sparked discussion about how championship experience can translate into NFL readiness.

1. Championship Experience Meets Draft Preparation

The pairing of Mendoza and Howard represents more than just a workout; it symbolizes a standard of preparation grounded in championship experience. Mendoza’s flawless college season showcased both physical talent and leadership, while Howard offers firsthand insight into adapting that success to the professional level. Working together allows Mendoza to focus on the nuances of quarterback play that extend beyond raw mechanics. Howard can provide guidance on reading defenses, timing progressions, and the mental adjustments required to thrive at the next level. These lessons can be invaluable for a top prospect facing intense scrutiny from NFL teams. The offseason collaboration also reinforces Mendoza’s leadership qualities. By learning from a former peer who has already navigated the pressures of national title expectations and early NFL life, Mendoza signals both discipline and maturity—traits highly valued by professional evaluators. Scouts and analysts note that these types of preparatory sessions can separate elite prospects from their peers. For Mendoza, the combination of championship experience and professional mentorship creates a unique opportunity to demonstrate readiness without relying solely on Combine metrics.

2. Mentorship from a Pro Perspective

Howard’s presence provides Mendoza with a perspective unavailable to most collegiate quarterbacks. Having transitioned into the NFL, Howard understands both the physical and mental demands of professional football, offering mentorship on topics ranging from playbook mastery to handling media scrutiny. This guidance is especially valuable as Mendoza has chosen to skip certain Combine drills, focusing instead on a controlled pro day to showcase his arm strength and mechanics. Insights from Howard can help ensure that Mendoza’s performance in practice and pro day settings aligns with the expectations of NFL evaluators. In addition to technical instruction, Howard offers advice on managing the draft process itself, including interviews, meetings with teams, and the psychological preparation necessary for high-stakes evaluations. For a player projected as the No. 1 overall pick, understanding these intangible factors can be as crucial as athletic ability. The collaboration also sends a clear signal to NFL teams: Mendoza is committed to preparation at an elite level. By training with a quarterback who has already succeeded at the highest collegiate level, Mendoza reinforces his readiness to transition seamlessly to the professional game.

3. Implications for the 2026 NFL Draft

Mendoza’s training approach adds a compelling layer to the 2026 draft narrative. As teams evaluate top quarterbacks, his partnership with Howard highlights both technical proficiency and maturity, elevating his profile in the eyes of scouts and executives. Pro day will be a critical moment for Mendoza, who plans to showcase arm talent and accuracy without the traditional Combine drills. Observers will likely scrutinize both physical execution and decision-making, making the insights gained from Howard even more valuable. The high-profile session underscores Mendoza’s focus on readiness and consistency. Working alongside a recent national champion demonstrates not only ambition but a commitment to continuous improvement—qualities that NFL teams prize in franchise quarterbacks. As the draft approaches, images of Mendoza and Howard working together serve as a visual representation of preparation, discipline, and championship pedigree. The collaboration reinforces the narrative that Mendoza is not just a talented player but one ready to excel immediately at the next level.