Fernando Mendoza on winning the CFP, preparing for the NFL, how Tom Brady influenced his game | FULL INTERVIEW | The herd
Indiana QB and projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza joins Colin Cowherd to discuss the Hoosiers’ national championship win and how he prepared for Miami’s tough defense. He explains how his game has developed since his years at Cal and what led him to join Curt Cignetti’s program. Mendoza also shares the QBs whose game he’s trying to learn from and how he’s preparing for the NFL via Tom Brady.
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Fernando Mendoza, 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and projected No. 1 overall pick, is set to begin his NFL career under the mentorship of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national championship during an undefeated 16-0 season, revealed this week that he spoke with Tom Brady during his official visit with the Las Vegas Raiders, who have the top pick in this year’s draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Appearing on the “Dan Patrick Show” Wednesday, Mendoza revealed the advice Raiders minority owner Brady shared with him during their meeting.
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“It was fantastic. He gave me the message that he was going to push me, and that he wouldn’t be all love, and that if the Raiders drafted me, he would be a mentor and wanted to be invested in whoever the Raiders quarterback was – whether it was me, whether they drafted anyone else.”
Mendoza added that the offseason addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins presents another learning opportunity for the young signal-caller.
Tom Brady attends Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
PROJECTED TOP PICK, FERNANDO MENDOZA REVEALS WHY HE SKIPPS NFL DRAFT
“Well, if I get a chance to go to the Raiders, I think it will be a great opportunity to learn from someone who has had so much success over the years and who I think has a very similar style of play to me.”
Mendoza likely won’t take starting reps in Las Vegas — Brady and general manager John Spytek have repeatedly said they believe in not playing a young quarterback right away.
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)
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The Miami native won’t be in Pittsburgh to walk across the stage and be welcomed to the NFL by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday night. He will instead be at home with his family, citing his mother’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
