While NFL teams are currently in the OTA phase of the offseason, life goes on for players across the league. The same can be said for 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who, before transferring to Indiana University for the 2025 season, spent his first three collegiate seasons playing for the California Golden Bears.
Yesterday, the Las Vegas Raiders rookie was able to walk the graduation stage in his original college hometown, sparking reactions across the internet.
NFL World Shares Thoughts on Fernando Mendoza Graduating
After Mendoza walked the stage and earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Management from the Haas School of Business, one Raiders podcaster reacted to the news.
“Bro really out here doing side missions. This might be the greatest run ever 😭🐐,” the podcaster wrote on X.
Bro really out here doing side missions. This might be the greatest run ever 😭🐐 #RaiderNation https://t.co/SE4BnLVEKy
— Graphk Raider (@GraphkRaider) May 24, 2026
Since right before the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza has been popping up everywhere, including attending the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA, as well as a private brunch hosted by Tom Brady and Travis Scott. He was also honored at the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame ceremony for his college football accomplishments.
However, since the draft, Mendoza’s top priority has been getting acclimated with the Raiders and participating in early offseason practices.
Some people were confused why Mendoza was graduating from Cal after he transferred to Indiana, whom he led to a national championship this past season.
“So he transferred back to Cal in the spring?” wrote one journalist.
However, it was revealed that Mendoza finished his Cal coursework in 2025 while enrolled at Indiana for his master’s degree, and the school invited him back to walk and receive his bachelor’s. He was introduced by Haas School of Business Dean Jenny Chatman, who paused the MBA commencement to explain why Mendoza had missed the undergraduate ceremony three days earlier.
“I hope you don’t mind that I invited this person to our MBA commencement. He actually had a really good excuse for missing commencement. He used his hot skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package, but he wasn’t able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job. Can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza,” Chatman told the crowd.
The introduction drew loud cheers from the audience as Mendoza walked across the stage in cap and gown to accept his degree.
“Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who finished his Cal coursework in the summer before starring at Indiana, received his Business Administration and Management degree from Cal’s Haas School of Business,” one YouTuber wrote.
One Cal writer and podcaster celebrated the “full circle” moment for Mendoza.
“Winning on and off the field,” noted Athletes for America, who also pointed out that Mendoza didn’t waste any time updating his LinkedIn page.
Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza walked at UC Berkeley’s commencement today
Winning on and off the field
LinkedIn warriors, he beat you to the update pic.twitter.com/bvhPlUKTvP
— Athletes for America (@A1Policy_AFA) May 24, 2026
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn’t named a starter, so it remains to be seen if Mendoza will be under center for Las Vegas in Week 1. However, he will battle Kirk Cousins for the QB1 role throughout training camp and preseason, which gets underway for Las Vegas on Aug. 15 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Though the Raiders did make notable moves in the offseason, acquiring Tyler Lindenbaum, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean, among others, they’re competing in possibly the league’s toughest division.
As of now, they’re completely outclassed talent-wise compared to the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs, who will all be fighting tooth and nail to make a deep playoff run.
In the meantime, Raiders fans should hope for the team to continue building around Mendoza for their long-term future and take over the division once he hits his stride.
