The New York Jets will have a close eye on quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore in the College Football Playoff.
Fernando Mendoza & Dante Moore Face Off in CFP
It’s rare to have two of the top prospects face off in a playoff game, but that’s exactly the scene for Friday night.
Mendoza and No. 1 Indiana will face Moore and No. 5 Oregon in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Peach Bowl.
Mendoza and Moore are widely considered the top prospects in this year’s quarterback class. Despite having college eligibility for next season, Mendoza and Moore are expected to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft after their respective seasons end.
For one of those quarterbacks, that end will come tonight.
Mendoza is projected to be the top pick in the draft. Mendoza has thrown for 3,172 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 14 games.
Mendoza became the first Indiana Hoosier to win the Heisman.
At 6-foot-5 with a strong arm and solid mobility, Mendoza’s game should translate to the next level.
Standing on the other sidelines tonight will be Moore, who could surpass Mendoza in the mock drafts with a good showing in the Peach Bowl.
Moore has thrown for 3,280 yards, 28 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 14 games.
Mendoza might be more ready for the NFL, but Moore’s upside is hard to pass up.
Kickoff for the Peach Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Jets QB Situation
The Jets needed everything to go right on the final day of the NFL season to improve their draft order.
For once, the Jets benefited from some good luck and secured the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Jets no longer have to package one of their two first-round picks this season to move up and take a quarterback.
The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 pick and will certainly take a quarterback. The Jets then have the option of taking the next best quarterback, which will be Mendoza or Moore.
Securing the No. 2 pick means the end for Justin Fields in New York. The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract last March, with $30 million guaranteed.
Though the Jets could trade Fields, a release is more likely.
Fields is currently owed $10 million in guaranteed salary for 2026. Releasing Fields would trigger a $22 million dead cap hit, which can be spread out over the next two years.
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