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Fernando Mendoza skyrocketed to the top of every NFL draft board during the 2025 college football season as the Indiana Hoosiers star won the Heisman Trophy and led the school to a national championship.
Mendoza’s status remained intact as the Las Vegas Raiders selected him first overall in this year’s draft. He will be tasked with returning the franchise to glory under head coach Klint Kubiak and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is expected to serve as Mendoza’s mentor.
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza performs a drill during a rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
A detractor came out of the woodwork Monday when an anonymous ACC coach told ESPN he didn’t believe Mendoza had “NFL traits.” The coach confronted Mendoza when the quarterback was throwing the pigskin for the Cal Golden Bears.
“He’s a good decision-maker, but I don’t think he has the characteristics of the NFL,” the coach told ESPN. “They’re all back throws. That doesn’t work in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws get overturned.”
RAIDERS NFL DRAFT PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA, CHARGED WITH RETURNING A LEGACY FRANCHISE TO GLORY
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza warms up during a rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
Mendoza showed grit and determination with some of the throws he made at Indiana. The one that comes to mind is the game-winning touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. against Penn State.
Cooper made the catch and an incredible kick for the touchdown with 36 seconds left, keeping Indiana’s dream season alive.
Raiders general manager John Spytek said last month that he rejected any talk of trading the No. 1 pick because he was sure Mendoza would be their guy.
“I think any coach is excited to work with a big, athletic, talented pitcher who is extremely intelligent and highly motivated, and that’s our experience with Fernando,” Spytek said. “It’s a great starting point for any quarterback.”
It was the heart Mendoza showed throughout the season, including in the national title game against the Miami Hurricanes, that made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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He totaled 3,535 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes in his lone season at Indiana.
