NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Fernando Mendoza shot to the top of every NFL expert's draft board over the course of the 2025 college football season as the Indiana Hoosiers standout won the Heisman Trophy and led the school to a national championship.
Mendoza's status was kept clean when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the first overall pick in this year's draft. He will be tasked with returning the franchise to glory under head coach Klint Kubiak and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will serve as Mendoza's mentor.
ZERO BS. ONLY DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza goes through a drill during rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Image Images)
One detractor came to light Monday when an anonymous ACC coach told ESPN that he didn't think Mendoza had “NFL traits.” The coach competed against Mendoza when the quarterback was hanging around for the Cal Golden Bears.
“He's a good decision maker, but I don't think he has the NFL traits,” the coach told ESPN. “They're all back throws. That doesn't work in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws get intercepted.”
FERNANDO MENDOZA, THE NUMBER 1 PICK IN THE NFL DRAFT FOR THE RAIDERS, IN CHARGE OF RETURNING A LEGACY FRANCHISE TO GLORY
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza warms up during rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Image Images)
Mendoza showed bravery and determination with some of the shots he took against Indiana. One that comes to mind is the game-winning touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. against Penn State.
Cooper made the catch and an incredible bunt to score with 36 seconds left in the game, keeping Indiana's dream season alive.
Raiders general manager John Spytek said last month that he rejected any talk of trading the No. 1 pick because he was sure Mendoza would be his man.
“I think any coach is excited to work with a big, athletic, talented pitcher who is extremely intelligent and a highly motivated worker, and that has been our experience with Fernando,” Spytek said. “That's a great starting point for any quarterback.”
It's the heart Mendoza showed throughout the season, including in the national title game against the Miami Hurricanes, that made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
He had 3,535 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes in his only season at Indiana.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
