The Las Vegas Raiders have a decision to make in April on who they will take No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Indiana Hoosiers‘ Fernando Mendoza, who has yet to declare he’s leaving college, is the top signal-caller prospect. Still, the question is whether the Raiders are sold on him being their franchise QB.
Mendoza is coming off winning the Heisman Trophy while also putting on impressive performances in the College Football Playoff against the Alabama Crimson Tide and Oregon Ducks. Now, he will be looking to help the Hoosiers win the national title against the Miami Hurricanes.
Nonetheless, while speaking to the media on Jan. 17, Mendoza was asked about potentially being the No. 1 pick and playing in Las Vegas.
“I would say, honestly, that’s a fantastic question,” Mendoza said about potentially playing in Las Vegas (h/t Mick Akers of Las Vegas Review Journal). “I would love to answer that. However, I don’t think we’d like my teammates to have folks in the future. I’m really giving all my focus on the present right now.”
Fernando Mendoza Would Bring Leadership to the Raiders
Nonetheless, with Mendoza in the spotlight for his play, several people are commenting on the traits the Indiana star could bring to the Raiders should they take him with the top pick.
Hoosiers head football coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the Big Ten Network and highlighted Mendoza’s leadership traits that could translate to the NFL. Furthermore, it’s a trait that’s lacking with the Silver and Black team.
“I was asked something about him just a little bit ago,” Cignetti told the outlet on Jan. 17. “He’s a special guy, first of all, and we all know that, on and off the field. To me, Fernando is like the glue [for] those final little cracks and pieces to make it whole and tight. I’m talking about our team unity. Our teams have always been close. Don’t get me wrong. This team is extremely close. Sure. I think he’s the reason why this team is extremely close.”
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Keeps Getting Better
Amid Mendoza’s run to the national title game, ESPN’s Josh Pate believes that he’s seeing the quarterback take his game to another level even after winning the Heisman Trophy.
“The ball’s like a cannon coming out of his hand,” Pate told Cowherd about Mendoza during an appearance on “The Colin Cowherd Podcast” published on Jan. 14. “He’s making a lot of far hash-out throws, the typical NFL throws that you want to see—made a number of them. And that particular game, I was partly on the field, partly up in the press box, so you’re getting every vantage point.
“You watched him throughout the playoff, how many times do you see a quarterback justifiably win the Heisman Trophy and then play better post-winning the Heisman? He’s played his best football in the playoff. I don’t care if this dude goes to Las Vegas; he’ll order Uber Eats six nights out of the week. There’s not an ounce of character concerns. So everything that you would want physically is there.”
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