Indiana football launches Fernando Mendoza Heisman campaign: Google Him, HeisMendoza LinkedIn

BLOOMINGTON — Leaning into his love of LinkedIn and an organic, fan-driven social media trend, Indiana launched a campaign touting Fernando Mendoza for the Heisman Trophy on Monday.

Featuring the hashtag #HeisMendoza, which started as a chant from IU’s student section during the Oct. 18 win against Michigan State, IU’s official football account posted a 94-second video to social media highlighting Mendoza’s achievements on the field this season, as well as his profile off it.

The video displays Mendoza’s Heisman candidacy through a mock LinkedIn page containing on-field highlights, as well as work he’s done off the field, including advocacy for multiple sclerosis charities. Mendoza’s mother lives with MS.

IU’s timing coincides with the Hoosiers’ bye week, what’s likely to be the program’s last free moment before Heisman voting concludes.

Indiana finishes the regular season with a Black Friday rivalry game at Purdue, and is on course to play in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. Heisman votes are due two days later.

Thanks in part to a 299-yard, four-touchdown performance Saturday against Wisconsin, Mendoza opened a narrow lead in Heisman betting odds last weekend. He leads the Power Four in total touchdowns (35) this season, and his 30 touchdown passes set a single-season IU record.

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IU is not the first program to organize a formal argument for its Heisman contender. Both Vanderbilt (Diego Pavia) and Ohio State (Julian Sayin) have launched similar social media-driven campaigns in recent weeks, ahead of what right now stands among the most wide-open Heisman races in recent memory.

Should Mendoza close the regular season with a win and then lead his team to its first Big Ten title since 1945, he would deliver a strong closing argument for becoming the Hoosiers’ first-ever Heisman Trophy winner.

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