Raiders Take Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza, 22, opted not to attend the draft in Pittsburgh, instead sharing his experience with his family in Miami. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion had one of the most decorated seasons in college football history during his year in Bloomington.

The redshirt junior threw for 3,535 yards, an NCAA-best 41 touchdowns and six interceptions on 273 of 379 passing in 2025, winning the national title and a slew of individual awards including the Heisman Trophy, College Football Playoff MVP, Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and Big Ten Most Valuable Player and being selected as a consensus All-American in 2025.