Fernando Mendoza explains why he'll skip the 2026 NFL Draft

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Fernando Mendoza explains why he'll skip the 2026 NFL Draft

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Apr 20, 2026 5:04 PM ET

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Unless something major happens, Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

That has been an open secret for months now, and Las Vegas Raiders fans can already picture him wearing their jersey.

Nevertheless, the Heisman Trophy winner won't be in attendance on April 23 in Pittsburgh when the draft takes place.

Instead, he'll stay with his family and friends in Florida, as he recently confirmed in an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show."

Fernando Mendoza wants to be with his family

“Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it’s a great venue, and I’m really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night,” Mendoza said. “It’d be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It’s a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. And, for that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home.”

Fernando Mendoza shares with @richeisen why he will be celebrating the NFL draft at home and not in Pittsburgh.

(via @richeisenshow) pic.twitter.com/Q503CS4woJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 20, 2026

Mendoza's mother, Elsa, has been dealing with multiple sclerosis for years, so this is probably an easier way to celebrate her son's success than by traveling.

Moreover, Mendoza wants to be around all of those who helped him go from barely getting a scholarship to leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the first national championship in program history.

“I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey. Mentors, coaches, family, friends — to be able to share that moment with all of them is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh,” Mendoza continued.

At the end of the day, that's all that matters. He'll still hear his name called and most likely get on the phone with the Raiders; he'll even wear the hat, but he'll just do it next to those he loves the most.

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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