The Las Vegas Raiders have selected Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza emerged as one of college football’s top quarterbacks during his final season after beginning his career with modest production at University of California, Berkeley and later transferring to Indiana University Bloomington.
Mendoza saw his first significant action in 2023 at Cal, where he passed for 1,708 yards and 14 touchdowns, showing early development but limited national impact. He followed that with a more efficient 2024 campaign, throwing for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, establishing himself as a reliable starter.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Mendoza transferred to Indiana, a move that marked a turning point in his career. In his senior year, he completed approximately 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, producing one of the most efficient seasons by a quarterback that year. His performance led Indiana to a national championship and earned him the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza’s trajectory reflects a late rise, progressing from a developing starter at Cal to a nationally recognized quarterback in his final collegiate season, to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
