The Las Vegas Raiders are at the NFL combine to study the whole draft. However, it is pretty much set in stone who they have in mind for the number one pick in the draft. That man is Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback out of Indiana.
Mendoza had a breakout season in 2025, leading the Hoosiers to the national championship, going undefeated in the process. He threw for 41 touchdowns and 6 interceptions and displayed accuracy all over the field. With his size and athleticism, all of his raised stock, and now he’s primed to join the Silver and Black as their franchise QB.
The first time the Raiders met with Mendoza was at this week’s NFL combine. Most of the front office and coaching staff were in the meeting, and Mendoza even received a call from part owner Tom Brady.
“When I walked into the formal interview for the Raiders, I was able to say a brief hi to Brady, and that was very special to me, and I look forward to meeting him in person one day and learning from him.”
The coaching staff decided to pick his brain and see which concepts the former Heisman Trophy winner could pick up quickly.
“They are very football savvy, which was great to see,” Mendoza said. “They taught me a play, and they had their whole progression of how they teach quarterbacks to play, and it was similar to how Indiana’s progression was. I am a very type A guy, and they had all the details of each play and what to do when you get a problem with each play.”
Mendoza’s grit and intelligence make him a perfect fit for the Raiders. The approach to leadership and success will translate to the next level and, hopefully, turn this franchise around.
“You need to play well and that’s where all my focus goes in. Football, football, football.”
Raiders football.
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