Fernando Mendoza opens up about likely being drafted by Raiders

Barring what would be a shocking development, the Las Vegas Raiders will almost certainly make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Of course, new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak and Raiders general manager John Spytek haven't yet confirmed that they will grab Mendoza with the draft's No. 1 choice. Thus, it's understandable that Mendoza spoke carefully about his future during Monday's event related to his receiving the Davey O’Brien Award as the top college signal-caller for the 2025 season. 

Fernando Mendoza will be "ecstatic" to land with Raiders

"I'd be blessed and honored to play for the Raiders, or I'd be blessed to play for any team," Mendoza explained, per Fox Sports. "Any NFL team that drafts me, I'd be ecstatic. I know at the draft, I'll probably shed a tear or two just because it's such a full-circle moment for me." 

On Monday morning, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner referred to Mendoza as a "rare QB prospect who is mentally and physically tough enough to handle the ups and downs that can come with starting on a bad team, while also being the centerpiece as that team grows from young to polished." Also on Monday, Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal shared that the Raiders hiring Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach should be a positive as it pertains to Mendoza's development. 

Philip Rivers, Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning, Trevor Lawrence and 2025 rookie Cam Ward are among the quarterbacks McCoy previously coached. 

Fernando Mendoza reflects on whirlwind year

As The Athletic's Bruce Feldman mentioned, Mendoza went from being known as a "shaky starter" to the presumed top pick of this year's NFL Draft. Few predicted 12 months ago that Mendoza would guide the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record and a national title. 

"It’s been a whirlwind," Mendoza added. "I think now it’s finally settled in, and the dust has started to settle. The national championship, and then boom, next thing you know, you’re on a new chapter."

That new chapter will likely involve Mendoza being tasked with playing the role of franchise savior for the Raiders.