Fernando Mendoza updates his LinkedIn bio after winning the CFP Championship MVP

Fernando Mendoza is having the time of his life, capped by Monday night’s unforgettable performance. In December, the young star cemented his status as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft by winning the Heisman Trophy, college football’s top individual honor. Just weeks later, Mendoza was celebrating leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff Championship in the program’s 139-year history.

Mendoza named CFP Championship Offensive MVP

The 22-year-old quarterback proved why he is regarded as one of the outstanding QBs of recent college football history in the championship game against the Miami Hurricanes, which the Hoosiers won 27-21. Mendoza was named Offensive MVP after a controlled performance, completing a number of key passes and adding a crucial rushing touchdown.

At the end of the game, images of Mendoza’s right arm, battered by repeated collisions, went viral. His throwing arm was visibly bruised, marked by red and purple welts running along his forearm - a clear sign of the physical toll the final took and the pain a player is willing to endure for a championship.

Joy in the face of pain

Still, it was impossible to wipe the smile off his face as he spoke to reporters on the field, confetti fluttering past his head: “I’m going to die for my team out there, and I know they’re going to do the same for me. That’s what makes the National Championship so special. We knew it was going to be a physical game. We had to play physical and we did play physical.”

Mendoza updates his resumé mid-celebration

Despite media duties and the small matter of celebrating a historic victory with his team, Mendoza still had time for some personal administration - his LinkedIn profile.

Less than an hour after the game, eagle-eyed fans spotted that Mendoza had added “2025 College Football National Championship MVP” to his résumé, as highlighted by NFL writer Dov Kleiman.

“This kid is awesome,” Kleiman wrote on X. Mendoza has certainly proved that on the field, while his attention to minor details suggests he’ll go a long way off it, too.

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