Fernando Mendoza

Well, I believe I'm still the underdog.

As although the draft was today, once I got drafted, I'm now a part of the NFL.

And I can tell you right now, I am not one out of 32, although I was picked today one out of 32.

I'm not one out of 32 quarterbacks at this moment.

So I need to work every single day possible because I'm in the bottom of the totem pole.

Whatever, you know, everyone wants to rank me.

I don't know those specifics, but I'm at the bottom of the totem pole right now.

And I got to first earn the respect of my teammates.

I think I earned that equity, and I also just got immersed, and I'm just ready to do whatever the team needs to help, whatever the team needs and calls me to do to help them win.

I would have said, what are you on?

That would have been out of the realm of reality.

However, at the same time, focusing on the present moment, you know, going into the future, there were some projections.

I said, hey, this kid has some raw ability and maybe could project to this.

However,

In reality, at that point a year ago, I just made the move from Cal to Indiana, and I was getting my butt kicked by the Indiana defense in spring ball.

My amazing Brian Haynes defense has proved to be the best defense in the nation.

I would have been a little skeptical, but it's been a great blessing, and those tough experiences have forged me into the player and character I am today.

Yes.

Yes, I did have second thoughts about going to Indiana, especially when leaving California.

Having lived in Miami, been leaving California, great weather cities.