Fernando Mendoza picked first in 2026 NFL Draft. Here's what the Las Vegas Raiders are getting

The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday night in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza made a little bit more history for the Hoosiers on his way out the door by ending the program’s 22-year drought without a first-round pick and the only IU drafted No. 1 overall in the modern era. Corbett Davis was the previous No. 1 choice out of IU in 1938.

He solidified the top spot in the draft months ago while leading Indiana to a national title with a perfect 16-0 record. There was little drama in recent months as the Raiders didn’t bother to hide their intentions of drafting the Heisman Trophy winner.

The moment aired (on a tape delay) during IU’s spring game with his replacement, Josh Hoover, leading the first-team offense. Hoover has big shoes to fill with Mendoza being responsible for a series of signature moments during IU’s title run culminating with a leap into the end zone against Miami.

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Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza highlights

Mendoza had too many HeisMendoza moments to count.

He bullied Illinois with a near perfect state line — 267 yards (21 of 23) with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He dialed up a game-winner against Iowa in the face of a zero blitz. Bounced back from throwing a pick-six at Oregon to upend the country’s No. 2 ranked team. His throw to Omar Cooper Jr. will go down as one of college football’s all-time plays. Mendoza came through with a pair of clutch throws to help put away Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. And he wasn’t done there.

In Indiana’s first two postseason games, he threw for more touchdowns (eight) than incompletions (five). At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Mendoza celebrated his homecoming with the hardest fought 12-yard gain in CFP history.

All the heroics added up to a trophy case full awards and lifetime admiration from a long-suffering fanbase.

Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza NFL Combine results

Mendoza received an NFL combine invite, but didn’t do any testing of on-field drills at the event. He didn’t do any test at IU’s Pro Day, but did a lengthy on-field workout for scouts gathered in Bloomington in order to showcase his many teammates looking to get drafted. He threw 50-plus passes and only two hit the ground. 

Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza stats

Mendoza’s 3,535 yards passing ranked second-most in program history by the record set by Nate Sudfeld (3,573) in 2015. He broke Kurtis Rourke’s record for most touchdowns in a single-season (41), a number that also led the FBS. Mendoza also led the nation in passing efficiency (182.9). He’s the only FBS quarterback since at least 1996 to complete at least 90% of his passes while throwing four touchdown passes in multiple games against Power Four opponents. 

According to PFF, he completed 29 passes on passes of 20-yards or more through the air for 955 yards and 11 touchdowns. The site graded 19 of those completions as big-time throws,  a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window.

Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza scouting report

Those looking for flaws in Mendoza’s film are trying too hard. The improved offensive line he played behind at Indiana unlocked his full potential. Behind the scenes, his arm talent was evident the moment he walked on campus as was his unrelenting work ethic. The only thing that prevented Mendoza from putting up numbers like Joe Burrow did at LSU in 2019 was the lopsided nature of IU’s many blowout wins and the staff’s emphasis on the run game. He ranked No. 4 in USA Today’s top 200 draft prospects. 

Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza coverage

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fernando Mendoza picked by Las Vegas Raiders in 2026 NFL Draft: Stats, analysis