Fernando Mendoza Shines as the Raiders’ Promising Quarterback

Fernando Mendoza of the Raiders is clearly making a name for himself in the realm of great players.

During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” former Indiana coach Curt Cinetti didn’t hesitate to label Mendoza as great, emphasizing, “You learn from the greats.”

Eisen pressed Cinetti to share what he learned from coaching Mendoza for a year, to which Cinetti responded, “The attention to detail, the preparation—it truly never stops. His play and toughness have really united the team, and he’s genuinely a great teammate.”

Mendoza’s meticulous preparation and impressive resilience were on full display during Indiana University’s 27-21 win over Miami in the NCAA Championship. He managed 16 completions out of 27 attempts for 186 yards. Yet, it was a pivotal 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-5 in the fourth quarter that stands out as a defining moment in his college football career.

With a narrow 17-14 lead, Mendoza took the snap, kept the ball himself, and charged down the middle. Despite being hit by a defender, he pressed on, ultimately diving into the end zone for the game-winning score.

“He’s like a lion when it comes to competition—fierce and tough,” Cinetti remarked. “He makes plays using both his arms and legs.”

This kind of toughness, along with his ability to rally his teammates, is exactly what the Raiders are looking for in Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Raiders have had their fair share of quarterback challenges since 2000, seeing various prospects like JaMarcus Russell, Derek Carr, and Geno Smith come and go. After a dismal season ending with a 3-14 record, the team moved on from Smith, making way for Mendoza.

As Mendoza approaches his rookie year, he’s set to compete with veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting role.

Cinetti is optimistic about Mendoza’s future, noting that the young quarterback grew up admiring Tom Brady, who is not only a legendary figure but also a minority owner of the Raiders.

“In my 45 years, I’ve never encountered a player as prepared as he is,” Cinetti added. “He thought of every possible angle and then some. I learned from him.”