INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza lauded his first formal meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL scouting combine.
“It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza said Friday morning. “The coaching staff was in there and we went through some of my previous plays and drew some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting.”
Mendoza was able to sit down with members of the organization that included new head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek. Minority owner Tom Brady, Mendoza’s idol, called him on the phone.
“I was able to say a brief hello to Brady on the phone when I walked in and that was really special to me,” he said. “I look forward to meeting him in person, hopefully one day, and learning from him.”
Kubiak and his staff put Mendoza to an early test.
“I would say they are very football-savvy, which is great to see,” he said. “They taught me a play and had their whole progression of how they teach their quarterbacks the play. It was very similar to how my Indiana progression was. I’m a very Type A guy and they had all the details of each play. What to do if you have a problem with each play. What’s your drop? What’s your progression? And that’s something I really enjoy.”
While it largely appears to be a foregone conclusion that he will be selected by the Raiders with the top pick, Mendoza understands plenty can change between now and April 23 in Pittsburgh.
“I know they have the prospective No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft,” he said. “I’m just excited for the opportunity and whatever team drafts me, I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.