The block around Fernando Mendoza’s home in Coral Gables, Fla., was cordoned off early Thursday afternoon and the roast pig – a lechon asado to Cubans like the Mendozas – was in the China checkout all day.
No, Mendoza did not travel to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft. But the recruiting party his family threw in South Florida was, by all accounts, epic.
And that’s how it should be, because it was fitting that Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall pick in the draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks to the media during media day for the College Football Playoff National Championship game at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida on January 17, 2026. (Leonard Fernández/Getty Images)
“The last five months have been such a blessing from God that I can’t thank him enough,” Mendoza said in his first interview after his selection. “I just can’t wait to get to work and improve at the next level. College was fantastic. I’m so lucky to have this career.
“But now I’m getting into a big game, the NFL, and I can’t wait to prove it and earn it every day.”
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Not bad for a kid who occasionally admitted to family, friends and teammates, “I don’t imagine myself being a top pick.”
That all changed when Mendoza transferred to Indiana University ahead of the 2025 season, and out of this unlikely college football powerhouse came the unlikely Heisman Trophy winner, national championship-winning quarterback and first-round draft pick.
The Raiders only used a minute or two of the allotted eight before turning their card over to the NFL for Mendoza.
Only in America.
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The Raiders believe in Mendoza. But the Raiders organization is littered with quarterback failures in its recent history.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Florida, January 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The club signed Geno Smith as a contender last season under coach Pete Carroll. Smith led the NFL with 17 interceptions, Carroll was fired, and the team was so bad they “won” the first pick in that draft.
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Before that, Gardner Minshew failed as a bridge quarterback and Aidan O’Connell didn’t really become a reliable starter.
Before that, Jimmy Garoppolo signed as a free agent but was often injured and inconsistent when healthy. He only started six games in 2023 and was released the following offseason.
Before that, it was Derek Carr, mostly functional in his time, who was benched in 2022 and ultimately released.
You understand. It’s been a long time since Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett or Rich Gannon won a Super Bowl for the franchise.
Mendoza is expected to reverse this sad narrative. But it won’t necessarily be right away. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason as a starter while Mendoza learns and develops.
The rookie will have time. But not forever.
A closer look inside the NFL Draft Theater from outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 22, 2026. (IMAGN / Beaver County Times)
He was recruited to bring a historic franchise back to glory. But it won’t be an easy task because other franchises will get a vote if that happens.
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Mendoza heads to the AFC West where it’s impossible to win without exceptional quarterback play.
The Kansas City Chiefs have owned the division since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018. They won it seven straight times until falling back last season.
The Denver Broncos won the division last season because they have Bo Nix, one of the NFL’s rising quarterbacks, who came close to a 4,000-yard season in 2025.
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The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs a season ago and Justin Herbert is generally among the league leaders in passing yards (9th last year) and touchdown passes (tied for seventh).
Now the Raiders respond with Fernando Mendoza – officially the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
