Fernando Mendoza receives degree from UC Berkeley in surprise appearance

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Fernando Mendoza receives degree from UC Berkeley in surprise appearance

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By James Parker | Last updated May 24, 2026 4:04 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is fresh off a national championship season with the Indiana Hoosiers. Before transferring to Indiana over a year ago, he spent three years studying at UC Berkeley while playing two seasons there after a redshirt year.

On Saturday, he returned to Cal for a surprise appearance at the Haas School of Business graduation ceremony.

While he was taking part in offseason workouts this week and missed the undergrad ceremony, the school allowed to him to walk on Saturday and receive his undergraduate degree.

It becomes full circle for Haas graduate and former Cal QB Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders QB and No. 1 overall draft pick, who got his UC Berkeley undergrad degree at Haas, was finally able to walk at today's commencement at the Greek Theater pic.twitter.com/4HkDQipcTK

— Thomas Dunn (@Thomasdunn24) May 23, 2026

“He actually had a really good excuse for missing commencement,” Haas dean Jenny Chatman said at the podium. “He used his hot skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package, but he wasn’t able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job. Can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza.”

Mendoza has been hard at work with the Raiders since being drafted No. 1 overall, but set some time aside to return to Berkeley and officially walk across the stage.

Across two seasons and 20 games as a Golden Bear, Mendoza racked up 4,712 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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