Fernando Mendoza’s Memorable NFL Combine Experience

INDIANAPOLIS — When Fernando Mendoza stepped into the scouting combine for his visit with the Raiders, someone quickly handed him a phone.

On the other end was a voice familiar to many football fans, especially for a college quarterback chasing a dream of playing in the NFL.

It was none other than Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion and soon-to-be Hall of Famer. Brady congratulated Mendoza, who had a standout season leading Indiana to a national championship while also winning the Heisman Trophy.

Interestingly, Brady didn’t just offer advice about the NFL—he welcomed Mendoza to what he called the “dark side,” given his role as the Raiders’ minority owner and head of football operations.

Now, it’s important to note that Mendoza isn’t officially a Raider yet. The draft evaluation process is ongoing, and the Raiders are busy preparing to make their first overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

This process often involves negotiating with multiple teams, trading players for a better position. However, all of this will culminate on April 23 when the Raiders submit their draft card to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, making Mendoza the focal point of their franchise.

“He won a national championship, and that’s exactly what you want,” said Clint Kubiak, the new Raiders manager. “You want a winner.”

The relationship between Mendoza and the Raiders is seen as one that could endure for years, which began as soon as he received that phone call from Brady.

“That was a really special moment for me,” Mendoza remarked on Friday. “I look forward to hopefully meeting him in person and learning from him.”

Mendoza considers it an honor to potentially share a mentorship with someone he describes as “the best quarterback of all time.”

“Having the opportunity to learn from him means a lot to me,” he added. “I’m committed to growing, and although it will be a long journey, having a mentor like that is invaluable.”

There’s certainly a spectrum of opinions regarding Mendoza’s draft position. Some say he’s the top player, while others argue he’s simply the best quarterback in a less impressive class this year.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has placed Mendoza at the forefront, labeling him “very accurate” and “tough.” Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky mentioned he thinks Alabama’s Ty Simpson could be a better option after watching Mendoza for just eight games.

But, in the grand scheme of things, those opinions don’t sway Mendoza’s significance to the Raiders.

Jets general manager Darren Mousey shares the sentiment from meetings he’s had with Raiders GM John Spytek about the likelihood of the Jets trading up for a pick.

“I don’t see that happening,” Mousey remarked, suggesting fans remain hopeful.

But, as one NFL executive pointed out this week, the noise surrounding the draft often complicates things unnecessarily. The Raiders require a starting quarterback, and Mendoza is right there.

After his call with Brady, Mendoza got down to business discussing football with Spytek and Kubiak.

His first impressions? Very positive.

“I think they understand the game really well,” Mendoza noted. “It was refreshing.”

They soon dove into strategizing, with Mendoza calling it a “great interview.” They reviewed past plays and even sketched out new ones together.

Despite showcasing impressive skills during Indiana’s championship run, Mendoza describes himself as someone who really digs into the details of football to evolve into a capable leader.

“Equity in this sport requires two things,” he elaborated. “First, you have to perform well, and my focus is entirely on that. Second, you need to earn the respect of teammates through your dedication and leadership.”

These qualities bode well for Mendoza, aligning perfectly with the current Raiders team dynamic, which is spearheaded by Brady, Spytek, and Kubiak.

Earlier this week, Spytek was asked what he values in a quarterback, and his description fit Mendoza remarkably well, even without naming him.

“They need to be a leader, tough, and must have a deep love for the game along with relentless preparation. Besides arm strength, humility and selflessness are essential,” Spytek explained.

At one point, Kubiak drew a play for Mendoza, and the two discussed it thoroughly, illustrating their shared approach to quarterback development.

“They were progressive in how they coached, similar to my experience at Indiana,” Mendoza said, expressing his appreciation for the attention to detail. “I’m someone who thrives on understanding every facet of a play.”

This is just the start of what Mendoza and the Raiders hope will be a fruitful relationship.