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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after defeating 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Quarterback recruiting is often framed as a whirlwind of opportunity when NFL teams show interest. For Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, he was first embraced with the prestige of an invitation to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and the life-changing promises which are bestowed unto the nation’s top prospects by coaches of professional franchises. But then, things took a bizarre and twisted turn when Mendoza shared an unexpected question he received from one coach during the 2026 NFL Combine.
The ‘Most Bizarre Question’ During Mendoza’s Draft Interviews
Speaking to NFL on CBS in a candid conversation-style interview about his NFL Combine experience so far in the process, Fernando Mendoza was asked about the most ‘bizarre question’ he’s been handed by a draft recruiter at the exclusive four-day event. In response to the seemingly comical inquiry, Mendoza revealed that a coach from one professional didn’t so much as ask a bizarre question, but rather make a very odd statement to him, saying, “It was, ‘Hey, maybe you should get arrested.'”
The quarterback from Indiana University, whose leadership carried the Hoosiers to a national title, elaborated on the awkward encounter with one of the NFL coaches, explaining, “I was a little confused, but then it was, like, to slide.”
The reference “to slide” in the terminology of the NFL Draft means “to slide into the draft” or “draft slide”, all of which are terms that translate into the act of a top prospect falling down in the draft order so that teams that may not have as much of a chance at the best players can gain a better opportunity to secure the top rated prospects. So by having a coach express a desire for Mendoza to be arrested, the reference was in fact more of a facetious comment about the impact that such a turn of events in the quarterback’s life could have on the ability of the coach’s team being able to secure the top-ranked collegiate player.
It’s Unknown Which Team’s Coach Made The Comment, But Mendoza Gave Some Vague Clues
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
GettyFormer Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza doing some media availability at the College Football Playoff.
Importantly, Fernando Mendoza did not name the program nor the coach involved in the ‘get arrested’ comment made to him during his draft interviews at the 2026 NFL Combine. His decision to maintain discretion reflects both professionalism and an understanding of how quickly narratives can spiral when information is circulated and interpreted by other people.
When the interviewer from NFL on CBS asked Mendoza which coach made the statement to him, the quarterback explained, “It was not one of the teams that I had a formal interview with so I’m not gonna… I don’t want… I don’t want to expose the team.” His answer indicates the pressures of the draft and NFL recruiting process, as well as the integrity and strength of character teams need in a leading position like QB. At the same time that Mendoza chose his words carefully and spoke with discretion, he also gave a hint as to which teams the coach was not from.
In revealing that the coach who made the ‘get arrested’ comment to him was not a representative of one of the teams the quarterback is most likely to sign a contract with for the upcoming 2026 NFL season – of which the Las Vegas Raiders are believed to be the top contender for Mendoza’s future football home – he did give a vague insinuation to narrow down the list of franchises that may, or may not, have said such a bizarre thing to him.