Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to be the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23rd. On Friday he took to the podium to talk to the media assembled at the NFL Scouting Combine. Mendoza has said he will not throw at the Combine, instead choosing to help IU’s NFL hopefuls by throwing at IU’s Pro Day on April 1st.
It is almost a forgone conclusion that Mendoza will be taken by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick. It would make him the first Hoosier football player to go first overall since Corby Davis in 1938 and the first to be picked in the first round since Thomas Lewis in 1994.
Mendoza had a formal interview with the Raiders this week and took us through what occurred.
“It was a fantastic interview. We went over some of my previous plays, drew some plays on the board. Thought it was a great meeting. I know they had the perspective on one pick, but anything could happen in the draft. I’m just excited for the opportunity and whatever team drafts me, I’m gonna give everything I got to them.” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also had the opportunity to briefly talk to his football idol, Tom Brady.
“I walked into the formal interview for the Raiders, I was able to say a brief high on the phone to Brady, and so that was very special to me, and look forward to meeting him in person, hopefully one day.” Mendoza said.
What if He Does Not Go No. 1?
There has been some of the usual speculation that Mendoza may not go first overall. He addressed those rumors in the most Mendoza way he could.
“There’s so many great players in this class. I mean, we saw the Ohio State guys run yesterday. There’s a plenty of Indiana guys who are great in the draft as well, and I’m just honored to be a part of the group.” Mendoza said. “There’ll be no hard feelings or so many things organizations and business they gotta do for themselves. I’m trying to be the best me possible, whatever team drafts me. I’m grateful, whether it’s the number one pick or whether it’s, you know, 199th pick.”
Whirlwind Schedule
While the Hoosiers were the last team standing in college football this past season, the schedule for players preparing for the next level has become a whirlwind.
“It’s been hectic, but it’s also been a blessing.” Mendoza said. “A lot of our teammates were joking that we played the natty January 19 and January 20, everybody or 23rd got three days of celebrating with the parade, and then it was all off the training. Everybody was going to Miami, Phoenix, LA, Chicago to go train. And that process of being dispersed so quick shows why I need to be so enabled in the present moments, and how much it matters be the present moment, and how much you got to really enjoy the good times while it lasts. And it’s just a great opportunity, from the beginning of the year to all the way now to all the teammates being able to be at the combine to compete.”