Fernando Mendoza just won the Heisman Trophy — and his card market wasted no time reacting.
In fact, one of his biggest “money cards” already shows a clean, eye-catching spike: Mendoza’s 2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto #BCA-FME is up about 65% in six days, jumping from $181.50 (December 7) to $300 (December 13) on completed sales.
That kind of post-award pop is exactly what collectors look for after a national spotlight moment, because it usually pushes casual buyers into the same handful of easy-to-find cards first — then into the scarcer numbered autos and “event” releases once the base starts moving.
Mendoza’s “base auto” is getting a quick post-Heisman bump
The cleanest bellwether right now is Mendoza’s 2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Autograph #BCA-FME, the card most collectors treat like the default starting point for a modern QB market.
SportsCardsPro’s recent completed-sales log shows a notable cluster around trophy weekend, including sales at $300 and $290 on December 13, followed by a $258 sale on December 14.
That matters because earlier December sales were often lower. Examples include $181.50 (December 7), plus multiple December 6 sales posted around the mid-$100s to low-$200s.
SportsCardsPro’s price guide currently pegs the ungraded value for #BCA-FME at $166.81, while also listing higher estimates for graded copies (for example, Grade 9 and PSA 10 tiers).
In other words: the market guide is still catching up, but the weekend sales show a clear pop in attention.
The other thing driving this mini-run is scarcity psychology. In modern college product, supply can feel unlimited, until a big moment hits and collectors realize how few graded, centered autos are actually listed. That’s why you’ll often see a weekend spike, a midweek pullback, then another jump if postseason hype returns.
The bigger Mendoza plays: numbered autos and “event” cards
When a player wins college football’s biggest award, collectors often move from “starter autos” to scarcity, and Mendoza’s Bowman U rainbow gives people plenty of lanes.
One example: Sports Card Investor’s price guide for Mendoza’s Gold Refractor /50 auto shows a last sale of $750 (December 10) and lists multiple recent sales in the $565–$850 range.
There’s also early movement on the “moment” side of the market. Topps’ product page for 2025-26 Bowman U NOW Card 17 (Mendoza) lists it at $11.99, shows it as sold out, and includes a print run of 2,733.
That kind of short-window availability is exactly what fuels quick flips when casual fans type a simple query like “Fernando Mendoza cards” after a Heisman ceremony.
Why the Heisman changes the card conversation
Mendoza didn’t just win the trophy — he turned Indiana into a national story in the process.
Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a 13-0 season, a Big Ten title, and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, while throwing for 2,980 yards and 33 passing touchdowns with a 71.5% completion rate. His historic season comes after transferring from California, where he played in 20 games as a freshman and sophomore.
For collectors, that’s the recipe for a demand spike: star QB + historic program angle + award night + postseason runway still ahead. It’s also potential future signaling: Mendoza could be a great quarterback in the NFL. Though he’s currently undeclared for the draft, he’s finding himself atop many mock draft boards.
The big thing to remember is that the market can move in waves. Right now, the “wave” looks real — but it’s also volatile, especially on modern college product.
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