Former Indiana Hoosiers player, 2026 national champion, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza didn’t have to wait long to be selected on Thursday night.
In Miami, surrounded by friends and family—where he clinched the championship against the Miami Hurricanes—Mendoza heard NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announce his name.
After the announcement, Mendoza quickly expressed his gratitude to God in an interview, attributing his success to divine blessings.
“The past five months have been full of God’s blessings, and I cannot thank God enough,” Mendoza shared.
He went on to say, “What a great organization, great legacy. I have a lot of teammates, coaches, owners, etc. that I look forward to connecting with. I’m really excited about this chance.”
On the topic of legacy, the Raiders are undoubtedly hoping to change the course of theirs. Mendoza is the first quarterback they’ve selected in the first round since JaMarcus Russell from LSU in the 2007 NFL Draft—a pick many believe was one of the biggest blunders in NFL history.
In comparison, Mendoza is certainly more promising; he’s not anywhere near Russell’s 280 pounds, he’s a more skilled quarterback, and he has the advantage of being coached by new head coach Clint Kubiak and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who is also a minority owner of the Raiders.
“Raiders owner Mark Davis mentioned in February that he hired Kubiak largely because of the potential to draft an offensive player in the first round, one that could grow alongside him,” ESPN reported.
“I’m looking forward to getting to work and proving it at the next level,” Mendoza told ESPN. “College was great, and I’m really proud of my career there. But now I’m entering the NFL, and I’m eager to prove myself and earn my spot every day.”
Mendoza opted not to attend the draft in Pittsburgh, choosing to stay home with his family because his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, uses a wheelchair.
During his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech, he took a moment to honor his mother and her steadfast support.
“Mom, this is my trophy, but it’s also yours,” Mendoza said. “You will always be my biggest fan. You are my light. You are my reason. You are my biggest supporter.”
He continued, “Your sacrifice, your courage, your love—they are my foundational strategies, and they will be my guiding principles for life. You taught me that toughness doesn’t have to be loud. It can be quiet or strong. It’s about choosing hope and believing in yourself even when the world isn’t kind. Together, we’re changing perceptions of what’s possible. I love you.”
Mendoza will be competing for the starting quarterback position with Kirk Cousins, a 15-year veteran, and fourth-year player Aidan O’Connell.
