Another day, another deep dive into College Football 26, and this time the spotlight is on one of the most talked-about quarterback releases in the game: Fernando Mendoza's Natty card. On paper, this card looks like a dream-top-tier stats, elite speed, maxed-out throw power, and accuracy numbers that rival the very best quarterbacks in Ultimate Team. But as anyone who's played CFB 26 knows, stats don't always tell the full story.

 

After extensive live-streamed gameplay and multiple competitive matches, it's time to break down whether Fernando Mendoza truly lives up to his hype-or if he's another example of a card that looks incredible in the lineup screen but doesn't quite deliver when it matters most.

 

First Look at the Fernando Mendoza Natty Card

 

Let's start with what immediately jumps off the screen and make CFB 26 Coins.

 

Mendoza's Natty card is stacked:

 

 94 Speed

 99 Throw Power

 Mid-90s accuracy ratings across short, medium, and deep

 Full access to every scheme team

 Solid ability flexibility

 

From a pure attributes standpoint, this is exactly what players want in a modern CFB 26 quarterback. He's fast enough to be a real threat on designed QB runs and scrambles, while his arm strength allows him to stretch the field effortlessly. Whether it's streaks, posts, or deep crossers, Mendoza has more than enough juice to get the ball there.

 

This card also fits seamlessly into any roster because of its scheme versatility, making it a plug-and-play option regardless of your team build.

 

Abilities and AP Management

 

Where things get more nuanced is Mendoza's ability setup. His options are similar to other high-end "game changer" quarterbacks in CFB 26:

 

 Gold Dot available for 4 AP

 Gold On Time for 5 AP

 Access to Platinum Dot or Platinum Off Platform

 

In theory, that's excellent. In practice, though, AP management becomes a real concern. Running 13–14 AP on a quarterback is a heavy investment, especially when that AP could be spread across receivers, pass rushers, or defensive backs.

 

For this gameplay session, the decision was made to stick with gold abilities only, avoiding the AP sink of platinum setups. Mendoza also does not receive the Blue Chip boost, which slightly lowers his ceiling compared to some other elite quarterbacks currently in rotation.

 

Playbook and Scheme Choice

 

For the gameplay breakdown, the setup was straightforward and familiar:

 

 Offense: Oklahoma State

 Defense: Miami

 

The Oklahoma State playbook leans heavily into spread concepts, RPOs, vertical shots, and quick reads-exactly the kind of offense where a quarterback like Mendoza should thrive. On defense, Miami provides aggressive looks and solid pressure packages, though defensive consistency was clearly a challenge throughout the game.

 

This environment made it easier to evaluate Mendoza in a wide variety of situations: red zone, two-minute drill, RPO-heavy drives, and must-have third and fourth downs.

 

Early Gameplay: Explosive but Inconsistent

 

The opening drives were electric. Mendoza wasted no time showing off his arm talent, delivering early touchdowns on vertical concepts. Deep shots to receivers like Dorian Moore and Desmond Howard connected quickly, creating that familiar "this might be broken" feeling that elite quarterback cards often give at first.

 

In the red zone, Mendoza looked especially comfortable early on. Quick reads, decisive throws, and enough mobility to keep defenses honest made him feel dangerous on short fields.

However, as the game went on, cracks started to show.

 

The Core Issue: Release and Freeform Accuracy

 

The biggest recurring issue throughout the gameplay was Mendoza's release and ball placement, especially when using freeform passing. Despite elite accuracy ratings, there were multiple moments where throws sailed just a bit too far, arrived late, or missed windows that other quarterbacks consistently hit.

 

This wasn't a case of bad reads or poor decision-making. The frustration came from throws that should have been automatic-especially on RPOs, slants, and timing routes-but weren't.

 

Several times, it felt like:

 

 Freeform passes were overthrown

 Timing routes broke down under light pressure

 Tight-window throws lacked consistency

 

That inconsistency is brutal in high-level CFB 26 play, where defenses are fast, users are aggressive, and one missed throw can completely flip momentum.

 

Mobility: Good, Not Game-Changing

 

With 94 speed, Mendoza is undeniably mobile. Designed QB runs, scrambles, and zone reads were all viable. He picked up key first downs and kept drives alive with his legs more than once.

 

That said, his mobility didn't feel special. He's fast, but not in the same way as quarterbacks like Vince Young, who can completely warp defensive play-calling. Mendoza's running ability felt more like a bonus than a core strength.QB power and RPO keepers worked well situationally, but he wasn't consistently breaking games open with his legs.

 

Defensive Chaos and Game Flow

 

A big theme throughout the gameplay was defensive unpredictability. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and constant pressure made it hard to settle into a rhythm offensively. That environment can amplify a quarterback's flaws, and Mendoza didn't always rise above it.

 

There were moments of brilliance-tight throws, clutch conversions, and solid reads-but they were mixed with frustrating incompletions and near-turnovers that kept the game unnecessarily close.

 

Against strong opponents who rely on pass-lead streaks, RPO spam, and heavy pressure, consistency matters more than raw stats.

 

Comparison to Other Elite QBs

 

By the end of the session, the conclusion became clear: Fernando Mendoza is good-but not elite-tier for this playstyle.

 

Quarterbacks that felt better in direct comparison include:

 

 Vince Young-Superior mobility and smoother overall feel

 Andrew Luck-More reliable release and timing

 Donovan McNabb (BND)-Familiar, consistent, and dependable

 

This isn't to say Mendoza is unusable. Far from it. In the hands of a player who clicks with his release and avoids heavy freeform usage, he can absolutely perform at a high level. But for players who value timing, precision, and feel over raw attributes, Mendoza may fall short.

 

Final Verdict: Worth It or Not?

 

After extended gameplay and honest evaluation, the final decision was simple: sell the card.

 

Fernando Mendoza's Natty card checks almost every box on paper, but football games-especially CFB 26-are about feel. His release and inconsistent freeform accuracy were deal-breakers for this playstyle.

 

That doesn't mean he's bad. In fact:

 

 He's likely a top-end quarterback statistically

 He fits any scheme

 He has strong mobility and arm talent

 

But for players who prioritize clean releases and reliable throws under pressure, there are better options available.

 

Who Should Use Mendoza?

 

You'll probably enjoy this card if you:

 

 Prefer standard passing over heavy freeform

 Like spread offenses with vertical concepts

 Don't rely on pinpoint timing throws every play

 Want a fast QB without going full run-first

 

You may want to avoid him if you:

 

 Use freeform passing extensively

 Make NCAA 26 Coins

 Rely on tight-window RPO throws

 Value release feel over raw stats

 Already like quarterbacks such as Luck, Young, or McNabb

 

Closing Thoughts

 

Fernando Mendoza's Natty card is a perfect example of why attributes alone don't define a quarterback in CFB 26. While his stats suggest dominance, gameplay tells a more nuanced story-one where release, animation timing, and consistency matter just as much.

 

For some players, Mendoza will be a monster. For others, he'll feel frustrating and unreliable. In this case, the card simply wasn't the right fit, and that's okay.