Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana's pro day. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza evaluates his Indiana pro day

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 9:33 PM ET

All 32 NFL teams had a scout in attendance to watch Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza take part in his pro day.

Throw in over 100 credentialed media members, as well as other Hoosiers and their friends and family, and it was more of an event than a pro day.

For Mendoza, it was yet another success in a long line of successes he's stacked up since arriving in Bloomington. An undefeated season, a Heisman Trophy and a national championship trophy are all under his belt, so why not throw in a dazzling performance in front of NFL scouts and analysts?

That's just what Mendoza does at this point.

In all, Mendoza threw nearly 60 passes, but afterward, he seemed more concerned about helping out his teammates than showing off what he's capable of.

pinpoint accuracy from @fernandomendoza @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/O0FKZMXCxx
— NFL (@NFL) April 1, 2026

"I feel like it went great," Mendoza said, according to the Associated Press via ESPN. "You know quarterbacks have passed, have done shorter pro days than that. However, I just wanted to make sure everybody could showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams and really run routes that are applicable to the timing we're going to be running in the NFL."

Fernando Mendoza brings in a crowd to Indiana's pro day

Several of Mendoza's teammates have a chance to join him in the NFL. Wideouts Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt combined for 1,767 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, and they were out there running routes and catching passes from the Heisman winner.

Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds ran an incredible (albeit unofficial) 4.31 40-yard dash. He improved his stock at the pro day, and he owes Mendoza for perhaps getting a few more eyeballs on his speed.

Mendoza was clearly the reason everyone was there, though. Last season, he threw for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He helped Indiana beat Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and Miami, in succession, to bring the Hoosiers their first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and their first national championship in football.

He's the type of quarterback and leader NFL scouts dream of, but only the Las Vegas Raiders get the chance to draft him No. 1 overall on April 23.

To that point, the Raiders had several in attendance to watch Mendoza. That group included new head coach Klint Kubiak.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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