Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and helped the Hoosiers secure a perfect 16-0 season and win the College Football Playoff National Championship, now has aspirations to play in the NFL.
Mendoza declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, putting himself front and center in the eyes of the Las Vegas Raiders and, especially, Tom Brady.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Looks to Play in the NFL
On Friday morning, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that Mendoza had made himself available for the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders, by the way, have the No. 1 overall draft spot in the draft, too.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza announces that he’s declaring for the NFL Draft. He’s in position to be the first player picked, as a large contingent of Raiders brass watched him in person in the national title game. pic.twitter.com/2tr8KQQy8Y
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 23, 2026
“Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza announces that he’s declaring for the NFL Draft,” Thamel posted on X on Friday morning. “He’s in position to be the first player picked, as a large contingent of Raiders brass watched him in person in the national title game.”
Brady was on hand as the Hoosiers defeated the No. 10-ranked Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Monday night.
After his freshman and sophomore seasons with the California Golden Bears, Mendoza transferred to Indiana, where he played for head coach Curt Cignetti. Mendoza delivered on all counts for Cignetti, who, in two seasons, turned the Hoosiers’ football program into a national powerhouse.
Mendoza put up some highlight-reel numbers for Indiana. He had a 72.0% pass percentage to go along with 41 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Mendoza averaged 9.3 yards per pass attempt and had a 182.9 pass efficiency rating.
According to the PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics, which are measured through the regular season, Mendoza had an impact score of 93.3 and graded out to an A. Only Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who was also a Heisman Trophy candidate, finished ahead of Mendoza in the impact metrics.
Should the Raiders go ahead and make Mendoza their No. 1 overall pick, then he’s probably going to get right into the starting role. Las Vegas leaned on veteran quarterback Geno Smith last season with less-than-desirable results.
Brady might be able to share a few tips with Mendoza, too, from his seven Super Bowl championship seasons. The Raiders want to be a better team than last season’s 3-14 record. Also, Las Vegas is looking for a new head coach, too, after Pete Carroll’s one-and-done season for the Raiders.
So, Mendoza might enter a situation that, on the surface, looks a bit shaky. Yet Mendoza, who has a lot of confidence in his play, might be the missing key to returning the Raiders to respectability.
