Fernando Mendoza has donned the silver & black for his first practice as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders today. While they may not be live reps with hitting, they still have the fans buzzing.
Over the weekend, Taylor Rocha shared a video of Mendoza under center for the first time. It was just a 17-second clip of Mendoza doing a pretty basic play, but it has already garnered over one million views on X.
The Buzz
Fans were very impressed by how he's moving already:
"Looks like he's pretty comfortable so far. The next real test will come when he gets the D-line rushing at him. #Raiders," one user remarked.
"You can tell by Mendoza's mechanics and manorisms. This is a future all pro," another declared.
"Fernando's balance and poise pops off the screen," a third wrote.
Not everyone was as thrilled though, with some noting that it doesn't matter how he looks until the reps are live:
"Playing under center also involves keeping the ball and making a pass. He is not doing that...yet. It's not easy and takes awhile to learn."
"Wait for a Edge rush and no WR to throw to. GL."
Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This past year Mendoza delivered one of the greatest single seasons in Indiana football history. In his first year with the Hoosiers, he led the program to a perfect 16-0 record, a Big Ten Conference championship, and the school's first national title. He completed 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, finishing first nationally in passing touchdowns while posting a 90.3 QBR, also among the nation's best.
Mendoza's individual honors matched his team success. He won the Heisman Trophy, becoming Indiana's first-ever Heisman winner, and was recognized as a consensus All-American and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He also set Indiana's single-season school record for passing touchdowns and elevated the Hoosiers into the national spotlight before being selected No. 1 overall by the Raiders.
Training camp and the live reps of the preseason truly can't come fast enough.
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