Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, fresh off leading the Hoosiers to a national championship, is focused on one clear goal: being the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Speaking at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Mendoza reflected on the process while remaining grounded about the uncertainty that still surrounds draft day.
“I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders,” Mendoza said. “It was a fantastic interview. The coaching staff was in there. We went over some of my previous plays and did plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting.” Mendoza acknowledged the Raiders hold the top selection but stressed that “anything can happen in the draft,” expressing excitement for the opportunity and gratitude for any team that chooses him, whether first in line or later in the draft.
Mendoza Values Mentorship, Learning From Brady, And Embracing NFL Challenges Ahead
Mendoza also shared a special connection to Tom Brady, who was a sixth-round pick 26 years ago and is now a minority owner of the Raiders. During his formal Raiders interview, Mendoza briefly spoke with Brady on the phone and said he hopes to meet him in person. “Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time,” Mendoza said. “To potentially have a mentor like that would … mean so much. I’m all about learning, and that opportunity would be fantastic.”
The 22-year-old quarterback boasts a remarkable college record, winning 19 of his last 20 starts across Cal and Indiana, including a perfect 16-0 season with the Hoosiers. Mendoza credits his earlier struggles at Cal for shaping his resilience and leadership. “A lot of that experience of failing … helped me in this new realm with Indiana. Whenever we’ve gone behind and dug yourself in the hole … I’m able to learn from those failures and make those into successes, and then they help my teammates,” he said.
Fernando Mendoza Aims To Be Top NFL Draft Pick While Emphasizing LeadershipMendoza is aware of the challenge awaiting him in Las Vegas, as the Raiders have gone 7-27 over the past two seasons and are on their sixth head coach since 2020. Yet he is undaunted, emphasizing the small margins that separate winning and losing in the NFL. “The difference between a losing record and a winning record is a couple of drives, a couple of key plays,” he said. Mendoza stressed that he will focus on absorbing coaching guidance and serving his teammates to the best of his ability.
Mendoza Stresses Leadership, Respect, and Work Ethic as Keys To NFL Success
Beyond his on-field skills, Mendoza emphasized the importance of leadership and earning respect within a franchise. “To lead, you need equity, and you need two things to build equity. One, to play well. That’s where all my focus goes: football, football, football. Second, it’s having the respect of your teammates through work ethic, leadership, tenacity, and how you respond to mistakes.”
Mendoza’s rise from an overlooked recruit to Heisman Trophy winner and national champion demonstrates his resilience, talent, and dedication. He is widely projected to be the first selection in the draft, likely joining the Raiders, and his approach highlights a combination of elite skill, humility, and leadership qualities that could immediately impact any NFL team.
Fernando Mendoza enters the 2026 NFL Draft with a strong record, a clear mindset, and a blueprint for success both on and off the field, fully prepared to make the transition from collegiate star to professional leader.
