Mendoza’s Emotional Draft Day with the Raiders
After being selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza expressed his gratitude to God while flanked by family and friends.
Upon hearing his name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the 22-year-old became quite emotional. It was a pivotal moment, marking the end of a long journey that began in Indiana, where he remarkably led his team to a national championship.
Interestingly, despite being projected as the top pick, Mendoza opted to forgo the live draft event in Pittsburgh. Instead, he chose to share the moment with his mother, who is dealing with multiple sclerosis.
“I heard my mom say, ‘I’m so proud of you,’ and that kind of broke me,” he shared in a Zoom interview post-selection.
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can’t thank him enough,” he added. “What a great organization with a wonderful legacy. I’m looking forward to connecting with my teammates, coaches, and owners. I’m ecstatic for this opportunity,” Mendoza expressed.
Mendoza’s journey was anything but straightforward. He started as a two-star recruit from Christopher Columbus High School, went to Cal Berkeley for two seasons as a starter, and eventually transferred to Indiana. There, he enjoyed a perfect season, ending with a national championship and a Heisman Trophy. Yet, he still feels that underdog mindset, recalling that he was a No. 250 overall recruit just a few years ago.
“Even though I was picked first, I believe I’m still the underdog. I need to work every single day because I’m starting at the bottom,” Mendoza admitted. “It’s important for me to earn the respect of my teammates and be ready to do whatever the team needs to win.”
Mendoza has already begun offseason training to get a handle on the West Coast offensive strategies and to familiarize himself with head coach Klint Kubiak’s system.
“This scheme allows the quarterback to act like a point guard,” he explained. “I just have to distribute the ball to our many playmakers, whether it’s receivers, tight ends, or running backs. I need to do my part.”
Mendoza makes history as the Raiders’ first first-round quarterback selection since JaMarcus Russell in 2007. With his addition, the franchise hopes to move past years of inconsistency and establish a stronger presence at the quarterback position.
“I had a feeling deep down that the Raiders would be the best fit for me because of the coaching staff,” he noted. “It aligns perfectly with my play style, plus we have a lot of talented teammates on both sides of the ball. I really feel like the stars are aligning here.”
Mendoza expressed eagerness to prove himself at the professional level, reflecting, “College was amazing, and I feel so blessed for my time there. But now, I’m stepping into a new challenge in the NFL. I’m ready to earn my place every single day.”
He’ll be competing for the starting quarterback role against veteran Kirk Cousins and fourth-year player Aidan O’Connell. I guess time will tell how this all unfolds!
