Pittsburgh, PA (WGR 550) - Fernando Mendoza’s NFL journey will begin in Las Vegas, as the Las Vegas Raiders made the University of Indiana product the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
This marks the second time in franchise history the Raiders have chosen first overall in the draft, the only other time came in 2007 where they also took a quarterback, former LSU signal caller JaMarcus Russell.
The Raiders newly minted first round selection spent his first three seasons at the University of California, appearing in 20 games between the 2023 and ‘24 seasons for the Golden Bears, where he would go on to become the school’s all-time leader in completion percentage (66.5%).
Mendoza then transferred to the University of Indiana for the 2025 season, where he would proceed to throw for over 3,500 yards, score 48 total touchdowns, and lead Indiana to an undefeated season, capped off with a 27-21 victory in the National Championship game over the Miami Hurricanes, the first national championship in school history.
In addition to the team success, Mendoza took home a bevy of individual accolades as well, including AP College Football Player of the Year, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first ever Indiana Hoosier to receive the prestigious honor.
Mendoza will now join forces with first year head coach Klint Kubiak in Las Vegas, in the hopes of turning the fortunes around for a Raiders team that went 3-14 this past season and has not finished above .500 since 2021.
First quarterback drafted by the Raiders in the first round since 2007
First quarterback drafted by the Raiders in the first round since 2007
