It’s not a usual occurrence that the potential No. 1 overall pick isn’t going to be in attendance at the NFL Draft, but Fernando Mendoza isn’t your usual prospect.
Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback won’t be on the stage in Pittsburgh next Thursday night to shake hands with commissioner Roger Goodell and hold up a Las Vegas Raiders jersey for the crowd and the chorus of cameras. Instead, he’ll be spending the biggest moment of his life with his family.
Fernando Mendoza Wants to Celebrate Draft With His Family
Of the 16 prospects attending the draft next week, Mendoza won’t be one of them. He’s been penciled in as the Raiders’ selection at No. 1 overall for what feels like eons now, so there won’t be much mystique around that pick. Barring something absolutely unforeseen, Mendoza will be the Raiders’ franchise quarterback for the long haul under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Mendoza detailed his decision, citing the people in his life as the driving force.
“I think the perfect NFL draft night for me is to be there with my entire family and extended family, because although I’ve gotten to this point, it takes a village,” Mendoza said.
His stellar 2025 campaign at Indiana as a redshirt junior culminated in a National Championship and earned him College Football Player of the Year honors. But while Mendoza was excelling on the field, the loved ones in his life kept him composed behind the scenes.
“I’m so grateful and thankful I’ve had so many great role models, mentors, parents in my life that have allowed me to get to this point,” he added. “I want to be able to celebrate them and celebrate their moment, because they have poured into me and allowed our entire family to get to this point.”
Mendoza didn’t throw a touchdown in the national championship win over Miami, but he did account for a 12-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter that boosted the Hoosiers’ lead to double digits. It was the first time since the season-opening win over Old Dominion that Mendoza finished a game without throwing for a single touchdown.
That isn’t to take away from such a remarkable season that saw him toss 41 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, including another seven touchdowns on the ground. The week prior to the game against Miami, Mendoza completed 85% of his passes and threw 5 touchdowns in the semifinals against Oregon.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
By all accounts, Mendoza is expected to be an immediate upgrade over Geno Smith, whose lone season with the Raiders was disastrous. Per PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Smith threw 19 touchdowns but had 17 interceptions with a 68.6 impact score, and ranked 34th among the quarterbacks in the league.
The Raiders also signed 37-year-old Kirk Cousins as a placeholder, but it’s unclear whether or not that will come to fruition. Mendoza could win the job immediately in training camp and enter the regular season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback, but in an ideal world, Cousins takes the reins, and Mendoza has the opportunity to learn and absorb without being thrown into the fire.
