Texas Longhorns’ Shocking Winter Transfer Move: The Pursuit of Fernando Mendoza

In what could be the most surprising move of the 2025 college football offseason, the Texas Longhorns have officially made a groundbreaking offer to Indiana University, aiming to secure the services of quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Head Coach Steve Sarkisian, who has already been praised for his leadership in returning Texas to national prominence, sees Mendoza as the perfect fit to elevate his already-talented team.

However, what initially appeared to be a straightforward transfer negotiation quickly took a dramatic turn when Indiana introduced three unexpected conditions, sending shockwaves across the college football landscape.

A Perfect Fit for Texas

The pursuit of Fernando Mendoza is not a surprising move for those who have followed Texas football closely. After a strong 2025 season, the Longhorns are determined to put together a roster capable of competing for a national championship.

While Texas has a formidable offense, there’s no denying that adding a dynamic and versatile quarterback like Mendoza would complete their offensive puzzle.

Mendoza, who starred for Indiana University in the 2025 season, is considered one of the top quarterbacks in college football. With an impressive arm, sharp decision-making skills, and a natural leadership ability, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to a breakout year.

His ability to read defenses, extend plays with his legs, and deliver pinpoint passes under pressure made him one of the most sought-after players in the nation.

For Steve Sarkisian, who is known for developing elite quarterbacks during his tenure as head coach at Washington and USC, the idea of adding Mendoza to the Texas roster is an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

With the Longhorns looking to compete at the highest level, Mendoza’s talent would undoubtedly help the team take the next step toward securing a national title.

“We’ve watched Fernando’s progress over the past few years, and his maturity on the field is second to none,” Sarkisian said. “He brings a unique skill set that we believe will mesh perfectly with what we’re building here in Austin.

He’s exactly what we need to take this program to the next level.”

The Shocking Counter-Offer from Indiana

As the negotiations heated up, Texas appeared poised to seal the deal and bring Mendoza to Austin for the 2026 season.

However, Indiana University, who had enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory under head coach Tom Allen, wasn’t ready to let go of their star quarterback without a fight.

In a move that caught many by surprise, Indiana raised the stakes by introducing a series of conditions that would make the transfer process far more complicated for the Longhorns.

Todd Burrowes, the president of Indiana University, personally oversaw the negotiations and brought forth three demands that sent a shockwave throughout the college football world.

Condition 1: A Record-Setting Transfer Fee The first condition was an eye-popping transfer fee that Indiana demanded in exchange for releasing Mendoza. While transfer fees are not typically involved in college football moves, Indiana’s stance was clear: Mendoza was not going to leave easily.

Sources close to the negotiations suggest that the fee would be one of the highest ever requested for a quarterback in recent years.

This condition placed Texas in a difficult position, as the Longhorns would have to decide whether the investment was worth it, especially considering their already significant financial commitments.

Condition 2: A Commitment to Indiana’s Future The second condition was even more unusual.

Indiana insisted that Texas provide a formal commitment to scheduling a series of future games against the Hoosiers, ensuring that their program would benefit from the exposure and prestige of playing the Longhorns in the coming years.

While it’s not uncommon for universities to schedule high-profile games, this stipulation added another layer of complexity to the deal, requiring Texas to rework their upcoming schedules.

Condition 3: A Public Acknowledgment of Indiana’s Program The third and final condition took many by surprise: Indiana requested that Texas publicly acknowledge the Hoosiers’ football program as an equal in the Big Ten conference.

This wasn’t a simple favor—it was an attempt to elevate the profile of Indiana’s football program on a national scale. By making this public acknowledgment, Texas would be giving Indiana an endorsement that could boost their recruiting efforts and national reputation.

These three conditions were unlike anything seen in previous college football transfer negotiations. While most transfers are relatively straightforward, Indiana’s demands reflected their unwillingness to simply let Mendoza go without securing something significant in return.

The Decision

The power struggle between the two programs now hinges on one individual: Todd Burrowes, the president of Indiana University. Burrowes, a seasoned administrator with deep ties to the university, made it clear that he would personally oversee the final decision regarding Mendoza’s future.

His move to get directly involved added even more intrigue to an already dramatic situation.