Top Fernando Mendoza Bowman U Cards from Historic Indiana Title

Celebrate Fernando Mendoza with his Best Bowman Cards

Date: Jan 20, 2026

Topics: Bowman U Now Football, Cards to Collect, College Football, Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Trending

Length: 825 Words

Reading Time: ~5 Minutes

Fernando Mendoza didn’t just lead Indiana to a national championship. He authored one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. After beginning the season as the losingest major program in the sport, Indiana surged behind Mendoza to claim its first national championship ever, becoming the first first-time title winner since Florida in 1996.

The Hoosiers capped the run with a perfect 16–0 season. Mendoza’s individual brilliance matched the team’s historic ascent, as he captured the Heisman Trophy and was named Offensive MVP of the 2026 College Football National Championship Game. In recognition of his defining performance on the sport’s biggest stage, Mendoza earned a 2025–26 Bowman U NOW® Football Card, released after the victory.

From that instant classic to his most coveted Bowman U releases, these are the top Fernando Mendoza cards that tell the story of a season and a career that changed college football forever.

Fernando Mendoza’s top Bowman U cards capture his historic Indiana championship season, including a 1/1 Auto Relic, Heisman Trophy NOW® card, and multiple performance-based releases. These cards document the Hoosiers’ first national title and Mendoza’s rise as one of college football’s most collectible modern stars.

Top Fernando Mendoza Cards to Collect

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2025-26 Bowman U NOW® Football Card #67 Fernando Mendoza Auto Relic 1/1

performance

• led the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship
• completed 16-of-27 passes for 186 yards and tallied a rushing score
• 2026 College Football National Championship Offensive MVP

Card info

• online exclusive

what they Said

• “Fernando, I know he’s great in interviews and comes off the All-American guy, but he has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition.” – Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti

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2025-26 Bowman U NOW® Football #25HAW-FM Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza

player info

• first player in indiana University history to win the heisman trophy
• Only 2025 FBS quarterback with four touchdowns and zero interceptions in five different games

card info

• online exclusive

what they Said

• “This trophy might have my name on it, But it belongs to all of you. it belongs, for the first time, in Bloomington.” – fernando mendoza

2025 Bowman U Best Football Greatness Awaits Autographs #GA-FM Fernando Mendoza

player info

• first hoosiers player in program history to toss 30 touchdowns in a season

set info

• greatness awaits autographs is a 20-card subset

what they Said

• “Great job, bro. You deserve that one.” – indiana head coach curt cignetti after mendoza’s heisman win

2025-26 Bowman U NOW Football Card #17 Fernando Mendoza

performance

• completed 21 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns against Illinois
• first hoosiers player to record five touchdown passes in two consecutive weeks

Card info

• online exclusive

what they Said

• “I think he’s really made nice progress since the season started.” – indiana head coach curt cignetti

2025-26 Bowman U NOW® Football Card #26 Fernando Mendoza

performance

• led the Hoosiers to their first-ever road win against a top-5 opponent

Card info

• online exclusive

what they Said

• “He’s come a long way, and as much as he’s improved since he’s been here, he’s far from a finished product. His upside is unlimited.” – Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti

2025-26 Bowman U NOW® Football #33 Fernando Mendoza

performance

• led the Hoosiers to their first back-to-back old brass spittoon wins since 1967-1969

Card info

• online exclusive

what they Said

• “Mendoza is another one of those guys who I believe is going to play on Sunday. He makes some throws, you’re like, ‘My goodness.’ I think his downfield vision, his progressions that he makes when he’s in a pocket, is absolutely incredible.” – Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry

Fernando Mendoza Card Collector FAQs

Did Fernando Mendoza win the Heisman Trophy?
- Yes. Mendoza became the first player in Indiana University history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Are Fernando Mendoza’s Bowman U NOW® cards limited?
- Bowman U NOW® products are online exclusives produced in real time. While print runs vary, they tend to be more limited than mainline collegiate releases, giving performance-based cards added scarcity.
Are Fernando Mendoza Bowman U cards autographed?
- Select releases include certified autographs, including the Greatness Awaits Autographs card and the 1/1 Auto Relic from Bowman U NOW®.
How does Bowman U NOW® differ from traditional Bowman football releases?
- Bowman U NOW® is a real-time, online-exclusive platform that captures specific performances and milestones. Unlike mainline Bowman sets printed well in advance, Bowman U NOW® drops respond directly to on-field moments, giving collectors timely, story-driven cards with generally tighter production windows.
Why are collectors chasing Fernando Mendoza cards?
- His unprecedented turnaround season, Heisman win, undefeated championship run, and NFL projection make his early collegiate cards highly desirable.