Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. This is even though Las Vegas decided to sign quarterback Kirk Cousins during the offseason. Mendoza had a historic 2025-2026 college football season with Indiana.
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Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University’s Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
He went 16-0, he led them to a national title, and he also won the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza during the 2025-2026 college football season with the Hoosiers completed 72.0% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also rushed for 276 yards on 90 carries and seven touchdowns, along with averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Mendoza is 6’5″ and weighs 225 lbs. Will he be attending the NFL Draft later this month when it is in Pittsburgh or not?
NFL Insider Reveals That Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza Will Not Attend the NFL Draft
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Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University’s Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The projected number one overall picks have attended the NFL Draft over the last four years. Well, this year it seems as if it is going to be a little bit different. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on his Twitter, “Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this month, per sources. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami.” This is a very interesting move for him.
The last time this happened was when Trevor Lawrence was drafted number one overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. There will be cameras in Mendoza’s home instead of seeing him in the green room during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh also.
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