Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Clark Wade/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza makes an emotional decision about NFL Draft

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 4:42 PM ET

Barring a shocking turn of events, the Las Vegas Raiders will use the No. 1 pick to get Indiana Hoosiers star quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

They've already hosted him for a visit and have done extensive research on him, and not even signing Kirk Cousins will change that. However, as much as there won't be any surprises at the top of the board, Mendoza won't be there to celebrate that moment.

As reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Heisman Trophy winner won't be in attendance in Pittsburgh when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentions his name.

Fernando Mendoza won't attend the NFL Draft

"Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami," Schefter shared on X.

Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami. pic.twitter.com/ApUc7UmIDX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 7, 2026

Mendoza's mother, Elsa Mendoza, has battled multiple sclerosis for years and is currently in a wheelchair. While the young quarterback didn't cite his reasons to stay in Miami, his close bond with his mother might have led him to that decision.

The projected No. 1 pick will most likely begin the season behind in the depth chart. As NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky noted, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has run the most plays from under center in the league since 2021. Mendoza, on the other hand, only had five attempts from under center in 1,088 attempts in college.

The Raiders are doing the right thing by taking things slowly with their prized rookie, letting him grow, develop and adapt to an NFL-style offense before throwing him into the fire. In the meantime, he'll spend as much time with his family as possible before the frenzy of the NFL season.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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