Fernando Mendoza
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks on after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
For months, it’s been clear that Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been more or less the default No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The Heisman Trophy winner recently added more hardware to his résumé, further strengthening that belief.
On Monday, Feb. 16, Mendoza was awarded the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback. It now joins his Heisman Trophy and national championship ring after leading Indiana to its first title in program history with a win over Miami.
“I think now it’s finally settled in, and the dust has started to settle. The national championship, and then boom, next thing you know you’re on a new chapter,” Mendoza said, according to Fox Sports.
Mendoza is now turning the page toward the NFL, where he’s widely projected to become the No. 1 overall pick — most commonly linked to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“College is great, but that part’s behind me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been satisfied with my college career. However, now I’m on to the NFL career. It requires a new skill set. It’s a grown man’s league.”
While that remains projection for now, Mendoza did reveal how he would feel if the Raiders called his name on April 23.
Fernando Mendoza Reacts to Raiders Projection
For Mendoza, he accomplished what he set out to do when he transferred to Indiana for one final season — put himself in position to become not only the top quarterback in the class, but the No. 1 pick.
“I’d be blessed and honored to play for the Raiders, or I’d be blessed to play for any team,” he said. “Any NFL team that drafts me, I’d be ecstatic. I know at the draft, I’ll probably shed a tear or two just because it’s such a full-circle moment for me. … The goal of transferring to Indiana was to make the NFL. It wasn’t to be a great college player. It was to try to develop into being an NFL quarterback one day.”
Like most prospects, simply reaching the NFL would be validation for Mendoza, who didn’t have a straightforward path. He was a three-star recruit out of high school and didn’t receive a scholarship offer from his hometown Miami Hurricanes.
He began his career at Cal, spent two seasons there, and then transferred to Indiana. In his lone season with the Hoosiers, he threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 276 rushing yards and seven scores.
Raiders’ Klint Kubiak Gives Skeptical Response On Fernando Mendoza
Even if Mendoza feels like the logical pick, nothing is guaranteed — especially after comments from new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak.
“A really talented guy, with a bright future. We’ll see where he ends, but we got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time comes,” Kubiak said of Mendoza.
Kubiak is just settling into his new role after helping the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. While he didn’t tip his hand, his response wasn’t exactly a full endorsement either.
From now until draft night, Mendoza still has opportunities to solidify his standing. He will participate in Indiana’s pro day and attend the NFL Combine as part of his pre-draft process.