Las Vegas Raidres quarterback Fernando Mendoza won't join his ex-Indiana teammates at the White House on Monday after winning the national championship with them last year
09:24 ET, 11 May 2026Updated 09:24 ET, 11 May 2026
Fernando Mendoza
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Fernando Mendoza won't be with his ex-Indiana teammates on Monday at the White House(Image: Getty Images)
The 2026 Indiana football team is set to visit Donald Trump at the White House for a ceremony celebrating their national championship win at 3:30 on Monday, May 11.
However, 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, who wrapped up rookie minicamp last week with the Las Vegas Raiders, will not be in attendance. He was arguably the Hoosiers' best player last season, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 passing touchdowns en route to winning the Heisman Trophy.
What is Mendoza's reason? The 22-year-old told local media in early May that he doesn't think it's a "good look" for a rookie to miss OTAs [Organized Team Activities], set to start for the Raiders on Monday.
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“I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs, if I’m not mistaken,” Mendoza said when asked about visiting the White House.
“If it is on the first day of OTAs, I’m at the bottom of the totem pole here. I’ve got to prove myself."
"I can’t miss practice. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look. I’m trying to best serve my teammates, and I don’t know if that would be accomplishing my goal.”
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Indiana's 16-0 2025 season gave the program its first-ever national football championship. Coach Curt Cignetti, who will also drive the pace car at the 2026 Indy 500 in late May, will lead his team at the White House.
Eight players from his 2025 team were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, led by Mendoza at No. 1 overall. Here is the complete list.
Fernando Mendoza
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Indiana coach Curt Cignetti (R) will visit the White House with his team — minus Fernando Mendoza — on Monday(Image: Getty Images)
Receiver Omar Cooper (first round, New York Jets), Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds (second round, New York Jets), Running back Kaelon Black (third round, San Francisco 49ers), Receiver Elija Sarratt (fourth-round, Baltimore Ravens), Tight end Riley Nowakowski (fifth-round, Pittsburgh Steelers), Center Pat Coogan (sixth-round, Pat Coogan), Linebacker Aiden Fisher (seventh-round, Houston Texans).
Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza is expected to compete in a token quarterback competition with veteran free agent signing Kirk Cousins for Las Vegas's opening day starting gig.
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At 22, he's one of the youngest players at Raiders training camp. Even though the Raiders struggled last year – their 3-14 record was the worst in the NFL last year — he spoke effusively of his new teammates.
“Yesterday I was like, ‘Wow, I have a lot to work on,'” he said at rookie camp.
“Everyone here in rookie camp, these are all really, really good players, so I need to elevate my level of play when we go to OTAs [on May 18] and training camp.”