Indiana quarterback and projected No. 1 overall pick **Fernando Mendoza** is not expected to attend the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mendoza has reportedly informed the NFL that he does not plan to travel to Pittsburgh later this month, instead choosing "to share the draft experience with his family in Miami."
Mendoza would become the first top pick to not attend the NFL Draft in-person since Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker in 2022. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence also did not attend the draft in 2021, along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2018 and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett in 2017.
Mendoza is the heavy frontrunner to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza is reportedly visiting the Raiders' facility today in Las Vegas, which is expected to be Mendoza's only pre-draft visit.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23 with coverage of Round 1, continues on Friday, April 24 with coverage of Rounds 2-3, and concludes on Saturday, April 25 with Round 4-7. ABC, ESPN and NFL Network will televise the entire draft, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on April 23.
Indiana's 2026 spring game is also set for Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET. Details have yet to be announced, but IU could broadcast NFL Draft coverage inside Memorial Stadium.
The Raiders sent a large contingent of coaches and front-office personnel to Indiana's Pro Day last Wednesday, including general manager John Spytek, head coach Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and several more staffers.
Mendoza only participated in the throwing portion of IU's Pro Day. He completed 53-of-56 passes throughout the session, with two of the three incompletions due to receiver drops. Mendoza did not participate in any other testing or drills.
"I just wanted to best showcase our guys," Mendoza said after IU's Pro Day. "Quarterbacks in the past have done shorter Pro Days than that, however, I just wanted to make sure everybody can showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams and really run routes that are applicable to the timing that we're going to be running in the NFL."
Added Mendoza: "They're my teammates, and they've done so much for me. I would not be the same player. There's been so many times throughout the season they've saved my butt, and it's just a working relationship, and those are my best friends for life. So it's really special for me to be out here today and just really appreciate them."
Mendoza would become the second player in IU history to be draft first overall, joining Corbett Davis in 1938. He would be IU's first quarterback drafted since Nate Sudfeld in 2016, and IU's first first-round pick since Thomas Lewis in 1994.
Mendoza might not be IU's only first-round pick as wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has shot up mock drafts in recent weeks. Cooper is projected as the No. 23 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles according to ESPN's Field Yates' latest mock draft.