I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

He is a very good qb. It will be easier to recruit a decent qb from the portal with him gone ,but I doubt we get one as good

Per Matt Zenitz @ CBS Sports:

Fernando Mendoza is expected to be one of the most highly sought after QBs this portal cycle. Coaches and personnel staffers are extremely high on him and view him as a big-time talent with NFL upside. https://t.co/G1doje2uZy

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 11, 2024

Sometimes when people say mediocre they mean bad. Sometimes when people say mediocre they mean average.

That said, I would say Fernando Mendoza was an above average starting quarterback who did a good job of putting Cal in a position to win.

Is he a draft pick, no. Does he have a chance at the NFL, most likely nothing better than the scout team.

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

But 3-9 gets us a new coach . . .

I feel like the truth is kinda in the middle:

+ cut way down on turnovers this season
+ showed better accuracy when throwing on the run
+ faster than you might suspect

- didn't get a chance to show that he has an accurate deep ball
- accuracy good but not great
- finding most open receiver, good not great
- doesn't -- yet -- seem to have that "sixth sense" to avoid the sack

Bottom line: Good-to-very-good. Certainly not elite (yet). Possible NFL future. Looks like a "rich man's Jack Plummer".

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

The o-line was very bad this year, but sacks are mostly a QB stat

Speaking as somebody who, as a Cal student, watched Ferragamo, Bartkowski, and Roth, and of course, Rodgers later on, I agree that Nando is right now, an average college QB.

But he is a GREAT STORY:

• He's a real, actual student. He's in a competitive major and heck, the guy almost went to Yale.
• He's every man. Would you be excited to play Cal football? Hell, yes you would, and obviously, so was Fernando.
• He came out of nowhere - (channelling Bill Murray from Caddyshack here) Cinderella boy . . . two star pick, buried on the depth chart behind two portal guys who crapped out . . . and played better than we had any right to hope he would.
• He improved. He did some crazy sh*t last year - fumbles and stupid interceptions. But cut way back on that stuff this year. His results weren't elite, but he certainly wasn't the primary reason for Cal's offensive problems. And he won the ACC QB of the week three times!

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

There's a very large space between "very mediocre college quarterback" and a QB who takes at least one NFL regular season snap. Pawlawski never took an NFL regular season snap. I think Mendoza is an above average college quarterback but still think he's a slight underdog to ever take an NFL regular season snap (much will depend on where he lands).

golden sloth said:

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Sometimes when people say mediocre they mean bad. Sometimes when people say mediocre they mean average.

That said, I would say Fernando Mendoza was an above average starting quarterback who did a good job of putting Cal in a position to win.

Is he a draft pick, no. Does he have a chance at the NFL, most likely nothing better than the scout team.

---

If he goes undrafted (which i dont believe will happen. I think he's a lower round draft pick), I could easily see Shanahan targeting him as a Priority UFA to stash on his practice squad. He has qualities that Shanny values: plays from the pocket; stands in in the face of the pass rush and doesn't flinch or panic; goes through his progressions, even in the face of the blitz or zero coverages; has some escapability, and more speed than some give him credit fo; and keeps his head up, and his eyes downfield when forced out of the pocket, and can throw on the run or when in scramble mode. He has some things that Shanahan could work with.

I wonder if he has received feelers from Miami, Cristobal who was Nando's father teammate at Miami needs a QB to replace Cam Ward, in which case his portal departure would be a lot more understandable.

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

I made a t-shirt for you.

These guys from the Miami fan base think he will be in a bidding war

There’s no doubt Fernando Mendoza has an arrow point up this offseason. https://t.co/4Tr1Mpk2YN

— CanesInSight (@CanesInSight) December 11, 2024

You're right it is unpopular

I don't care if he ever plays in the pros. He's a very serviceable QB who has improved and will only get better and with eligibility. . Now we are nowhere at the most important position

DaveT said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

But 3-9 gets us a new coach . . .

---

nothing will get us a new coach unless we get a new ad

Big C said:

---

I feel like the truth is kinda in the middle:

+ cut way down on turnovers this season
+ showed better accuracy when throwing on the run
+ faster than you might suspect

- didn't get a chance to show that he has an accurate deep ball
- accuracy good but not great
- finding most open receiver, good not great
- doesn't -- yet -- seem to have that "sixth sense" to avoid the rush or to throw the ball away

Good-to-very-good. Certainly not elite (yet). Possible NFL future. Looks like a "rich man's Jack Plummer".

---

Rich man's Jack Plummer is a NFL prospect. Jack Plummer was much older in college and is on a practice squad right now.

A bleacher report article's evaluation of college QBs has as much credibility as any idiot's on this site.

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

You are absolutely correct about Nando. Nevertheless, a competent, professional, Uber prepared OC, who actually knows how to coach QBs and how to deftly and expertly coordinate offenses, and how to call plays, and how to produce stout OLs who consistently execute - all of which are hallmarks of past Harsin-coached offenses - and 'all of which have been absent' during Nando's time here - could very likely coach up a QB who 'we' might consider to be somewhat lesser than Nando to perform at a higher level, and produce better results than Nando was able to achieve under the sh_t show of an OL - and 'offense', in general - that Cal has had during his time here as Cal's QB.

Pittstop said:

---

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

You are absolutely correct about Nando. Nevertheless, a competent, professional, Uber prepared OC, who actually knows how to coach QBs and how to deftly and expertly coordinate offenses, and how to call plays, and how to produce stout OLs who consistently execute - all of which are hallmarks of past Harsin-coached offenses - could very likely coach up a QB who 'we' might consider to be somewhat lesser than Nando to perform at a higher level, and produce better results than Nando was able to achieve under the sh_t show of an OL - and 'offense', in general - that Cal has had during his time here as Cal's QB.

---

An o line this broken is not going to be rebuilt in a single season.

Pittstop said:

---

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

You are absolutely correct about Nando. Nevertheless, a competent, professional, Uber prepared OC, who actually knows how to coach QBs and how to deftly and expertly coordinate offenses, and how to call plays, and how to produce stout OLs who consistently execute - all of which are hallmarks of past Harsin-coached offenses - could very likely coach up a QB who 'we' might consider to be somewhat lesser than Nando to perform at a higher level, and produce better results than Nando was able to achieve under the sh_t show of an OL - and 'offense', in general - that Cal has had during his time here as Cal's QB.

---

When pigs fly

Cal88 said:

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I wonder if he has received feelers from Miami, Cristobal who was Nando's father teammate at Miami needs a QB to replace Cam Ward, in which case his portal departure would be a lot more understandable.

---

He has been offered significant $ from Miami.
But apparently he's going to Indiana to join his younger brother who is a redshirt freshman QB.
I'm pretty sure the dollars will be close.

Mendoza is good but there are more QBs than the are top starting job available so Cal can probably get a decent one. I do think Nando will be more talented but you can scheme up similar production.

concernedparent said:

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Pittstop said:

---

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

You are absolutely correct about Nando. Nevertheless, a competent, professional, Uber prepared OC, who actually knows how to coach QBs and how to deftly and expertly coordinate offenses, and how to call plays, and how to produce stout OLs who consistently execute - all of which are hallmarks of past Harsin-coached offenses - could very likely coach up a QB who 'we' might consider to be somewhat lesser than Nando to perform at a higher level, and produce better results than Nando was able to achieve under the sh_t show of an OL - and 'offense', in general - that Cal has had during his time here as Cal's QB.

---

An o line this broken is not going to be rebuilt in a single season.

---

"Rebuilt"? Possibly not. "Better coached"? "Far more competent"? "Able to execute their assignments as coached"? "Able to eliminate all of the pre-snap penalties"? I absolutely believe so.

BearlyCareAnymore said:

---

MathTeacherMike said:

---

I have been baffled with the adoration of Nando among Cal fans. After his emotional interview following The Big Game, the consensus was that he could walk on water. More than anything, Cal fans lovefest with him reveals our lowered standards and expectations. But looking at it objectively - he's a very mediocre college quarterback. I've already gotten into it here in other posts where people think that he is a sure-fire NFL quarterback - I argue that he will never take a snap in an NFL regular season game. Time will tell. So, while this might sound like sour grapes today - I found this article both interesting and timely.

Top 50 College Quarterbacks after the completion of the 2024 season.

Article TL/DR: Fernando Mendoza is not listed in the top 50 of college quarterback. His name is listed (alphabetically) grouped with the "next 50."

Now I'm not saying that he will be easily replaced - Cal football appears to be on life-support at this point. But with Wilcox still here, I don't think Nando's leaving is that big of a deal; we are destined to fail with or without him.

---

Sorry, Math, but no.

He is 53 in QBR. But here is the thing. He is getting killed on that stat by sacks which isn't his fault. He is 129 on the list on ESPN which is dead last. He is getting killed in lack of TD's, which isn't mostly his fault. He is 34 in Pass Efficiency. (#8 among Frosh/Soph) He is 13 in Pass yards. (#4 among frosh soph) He is 10 in Completion Percentage. (Best among Frosh/Soph)

The guy is a good college QB. Personally, I don't see him as NFL material, but I could be wrong. He has more time to develop and he is already one of the best in his class. The article you linked is exactly why he needed to go. He would easily be in that list playing in another offense. He is getting killed statistically by the lack of an O-line and by the lack of a coherent offense taking advantage of his production to score points.

He is not easily replaced and yes it is a big deal. Could easily cost 3 or 4 wins. Personally if 7-5 is our top, I realize that doesn't make us a household name, but I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

Yup, this is pretty much what I saw. Fernando was the only player keeping our offense functional for most of this season. He had to make up for a lot of deficiencies in pass protection and in the running game.

DoubtfulBear said:

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DaveT said:

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BearlyCareAnymore said:

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I'd rather be 7-5 than 3-9.

---

But 3-9 gets us a new coach . . .

---

nothing will get us a new coach unless we get a new a

---

or maybr a new chancelor? Lyons seems to be a purrer when it comes to football

he isn't peyton manning but anyone who can be in/near top 10 in the ncaa passing behind this line clearly isn't terrible. and he improved a ton from last year. certainly still has things to work on but there simply aren't 20 better qb's coming back in ncaa football next season

i think he's currently a little better than Plummer was for us (and they both played behind some equally terrible lines)

Cal88 said:

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I wonder if he has received feelers from Miami, Cristobal who was Nando's father teammate at Miami needs a QB to replace Cam Ward, in which case his portal departure would be a lot more understandable.

---

if he doesn't go Miami, you have your answer as to his value. Still, I was sorry to see him go (SMU sideline told the tale - soon as I saw him there I knew he's gone.).

I don't hate him, but the slobbering over him by the Calgorithm these past few months has gone overboard. (And part of it seems to be based on his looks. It reminds me of the slobbering over Luigi.)

I feel like this attitude is the same as WSU fans had about Cam Ward, Auburn fans had about Nix, and Indiana fans had about Penix . . .

Fernando will go to Indiana (reportedly) and thrive in a competent offensive system and with an actual OL to protect him. He's efficient, accurate, athletic, and has been a good decision maker with limited time to process and let plays develop. Not to mention that offensive scheme and subpar ability to create separation by WRs has held him back.

Watch next fall as he rockets up draft boards in a place where he can showcase his talents and is utilized properly

If I were to think about recent starting QB's off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank them.

1. Goff
2. Webb
3. Garbers
4. Mendoza
5. Plummer
6. Bowers
7. Sam Jackson

(I'm a little less confident the further we go back since memories can be fuzzy. Also, Nando still has a couple of years to get better.)

At this point, I'd say the most likely outcome is that Nando has enough to be the practice team QB on an NFL roster. I think he's very good in some areas (within 15 yards, center of the field) but not as good in other areas (beyond 15, sideline throws) and doesn't seem as good/elite as QB's we've had in the past (pocket presence, escaping the pocket, very tight windows). He's shown flashes where he can get into the zone and be accurate while under pressure (Auburn 1st half, 98 yards with my boys) but at other times he has his slumps and can't find solutions when there's pressure.

I would already have Mendoza above Garbers.

okaydo said:

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I don't hate him, but the slobbering over him by the Calgorithm these past few months has gone overboard. (And part of it seems to be based on his looks. It reminds me of the slobbering over Luigi.)

---

I only know what I've read here about Calgorithm but I gather they're all about selling Cal. Even before the internet, persuasive advertising has always tried to attach a face to the product and Nando's was the most obvious one to use. Ott would have been the guy if injury and a lousy OL hadn't impacted his performance.

Was it 2022 that Ott had his big game against Arizona in CMS? Man, he was electric.

freshfunk said:

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If I were to think about recent starting QB's off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank them.

1. Goff
2. Webb
3. Garbers
4. Mendoza
5. Plummer
6. Bowers
7. Sam Jackson

(I'm a little less confident the further we go back since memories can be fuzzy. Also, Nando still has a couple of years to get better.)

At this point, I'd say the most likely outcome is that Nando has enough to be the practice team QB on an NFL roster. I think he's very good in some areas (within 15 yards, center of the field) but not as good in other areas (beyond 15, sideline throws) and doesn't seem as good/elite as QB's we've had in the past (pocket presence, escaping the pocket, very tight windows). He's shown flashes where he can get into the zone and be accurate while under pressure (Auburn 1st half, 98 yards with my boys) but at other times he has his slumps and can't find solutions when there's pressure.

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Nice post. That is exactly the way I see it. Though I think he throws well much deeper than 15 as long as it is between the hashes. I do think Fernando's growth has been extraordinary and would expect him to continue to improve, especially as a passer. We saw the same with Rodgers and Elway, who initially threw everything hard.

The one limiting area I see is a certain lack of athleticism, nimbleness in the pocket. He is tall and lanky and a little awkward. I don't think he will be great under center. I think his best fit is standing tall in shotgun throwing lasers upfield in an Air Raid offense.

calumnus said:

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freshfunk said:

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If I were to think about recent starting QB's off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank them.

1. Goff
2. Webb
3. Garbers
4. Mendoza
5. Plummer
6. Bowers
7. Sam Jackson

(I'm a little less confident the further we go back since memories can be fuzzy. Also, Nando still has a couple of years to get better.)

At this point, I'd say the most likely outcome is that Nando has enough to be the practice team QB on an NFL roster. I think he's very good in some areas (within 15 yards, center of the field) but not as good in other areas (beyond 15, sideline throws) and doesn't seem as good/elite as QB's we've had in the past (pocket presence, escaping the pocket, very tight windows). He's shown flashes where he can get into the zone and be accurate while under pressure (Auburn 1st half, 98 yards with my boys) but at other times he has his slumps and can't find solutions when there's pressure.

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Nice post. That is exactly the way I see it. Though I think he throws well much deeper than 15 as long as it is between the hashes. I do think Fernando's growth has been extraordinary and would expect him to continue to improve, especially as a passer. We saw the same with Rodgers and Elway, who initially threw everything hard.

The one limiting area I see is a certain lack of athleticism, nimbleness in the pocket. He is tall and lanky and a little awkward. I don't think he will be great under center. I think his best fit is standing tall in shotgun throwing lasers upfield in an Air Raid offense.

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Lousy pass protection made it tough to gauge Fernando's ability to throw the long ball, since he rarely had time for receivers to get downfield, but he improved so much from 2023 to 2024, that the trajectory (unintentional pun, here) was encouraging. The fact that Cal whiffed on OL improvement through the portal the last two seasons had to have some impact on his portal decision.