Regardless of how you feel about the individual coaches (Spavital, for instance, seems pretty good and much better than Bloesch/Gilbert), Cal has it's 4th OC and QB coach in 4 years, so Mendoza has a new coach each year, not the ideal situation to develop. He'll have another new coach at Indiana, who almost certainly won't get fired duri…
Regardless of how you feel about the individual coaches (Spavital, for instance, seems pretty good and much better than Bloesch/Gilbert), Cal has it's 4th OC and QB coach in 4 years, so Mendoza has a new coach each year, not the ideal situation to develop. He'll have another new coach at Indiana, who almost certainly won't get fired during Mendoza's time, but they've got a new OC next year and the coach could get poached, so there's risk there too. We'll see if he advances considerably at IU and gets drafted reasonably high. For all his hard work, preparation, and intangibles, Mendoza's never seemed to have that it factor when it comes to recognition and execution, so I'm not sure he can just be coached into a legit NFL guy, though those positive traits give you confidence that if there's a way then he just might find it. Definitely a good QB, who should at least get into an NFL camp and could prove me wrong, but not confident he makes an impact at the next level. I remember watching Goff as a freshman navigating pressure in the pocket and thinking he's got it and has a real chance to be a good pro, and he's subsequently proven that. I've never felt the same about Mendoza, or any other Cal QB in awhile, based on his on-field performance. It's the intangibles that can talk you into it. 98 yards with my boys didn't change that for me despite being an awesome college football moment, though a bit tarnished by abandoning the boys weeks later.
I agree with everything you are saying. It is the old saying how can you get from good to a great athlete? Some you can control and some you can not. In my sports circle, folks are not talking about Mendoza unless they are Cal alums - and they remain bitter over Mendoza leaving.
Regardless of how you feel about the individual coaches (Spavital, for instance, seems pretty good and much better than Bloesch/Gilbert), Cal has it's 4th OC and QB coach in 4 years, so Mendoza has a new coach each year, not the ideal situation to develop. He'll have another new coach at Indiana, who almost certainly won't get fired during Mendoza's time, but they've got a new OC next year and the coach could get poached, so there's risk there too. We'll see if he advances considerably at IU and gets drafted reasonably high. For all his hard work, preparation, and intangibles, Mendoza's never seemed to have that it factor when it comes to recognition and execution, so I'm not sure he can just be coached into a legit NFL guy, though those positive traits give you confidence that if there's a way then he just might find it. Definitely a good QB, who should at least get into an NFL camp and could prove me wrong, but not confident he makes an impact at the next level. I remember watching Goff as a freshman navigating pressure in the pocket and thinking he's got it and has a real chance to be a good pro, and he's subsequently proven that. I've never felt the same about Mendoza, or any other Cal QB in awhile, based on his on-field performance. It's the intangibles that can talk you into it. 98 yards with my boys didn't change that for me despite being an awesome college football moment, though a bit tarnished by abandoning the boys weeks later.
I agree with everything you are saying. It is the old saying how can you get from good to a great athlete? Some you can control and some you can not. In my sports circle, folks are not talking about Mendoza unless they are Cal alums - and they remain bitter over Mendoza leaving.