Fernando Mendoza Declares for 2026 NFL Draft After Historic Run at Indiana
Fernando Mendoza is officially headed to the NFL, and the Las Vegas Raiders - sitting atop the 2026 draft board - might just have their franchise quarterback fall right into their lap.
After weeks of anticipation, Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and the face of Indiana’s first-ever national championship, made it official on Friday morning. With a nod to the modern era, the star quarterback announced his decision in a way only a 21st-century athlete could: “My LinkedIn status is now ‘Open to Work,’ and I’m officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft,” Mendoza said.
It was the final confirmation the football world had been waiting for. Mendoza’s declaration closes the book on a college career that was nothing short of legendary and opens the door for a quarterback-needy NFL team - like the Raiders - to potentially reshape their future.
A Championship Legacy in Bloomington
Mendoza’s 2025 season was the stuff of college football dreams. He threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and a national title.
In the championship game against Miami, Mendoza didn’t put up gaudy numbers - 16-of-27 for 186 yards - but he made the kind of play that defines legacies. On a crucial fourth-and-5, with the game in the balance, he tucked the ball and ran for a 12-yard touchdown, diving headfirst into the end zone.
It was gritty, fearless, and vintage Mendoza.
That moment encapsulated what made him special - not just the arm talent, but the poise, the toughness, the ability to rise when it mattered most. Over his three-year college career, Mendoza completed 68.6% of his passes for 8,247 yards, with a sterling 71-to-22 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was the engine of Indiana’s rise from Big Ten afterthought to national powerhouse.
The Next Man Up in Bloomington
Indiana didn’t waste time securing its future under center. With Mendoza heading to the pros, the Hoosiers landed Josh Hoover, who is expected to take over the reins next season.
Hoover comes in with serious credentials of his own - 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 65.9% completion rate in 2025. He’s not Mendoza, but he brings experience and production, and Indiana will be counting on him to keep the momentum going.
Raiders on the Clock - and Tom Brady Watching Closely
The Las Vegas Raiders are in prime position to land Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s no secret they’re in the market for a quarterback, and Mendoza checks every box - leadership, production, big-game experience, and the kind of moxie that can energize a franchise.
Tom Brady, who became a 5% minority owner of the Raiders in 2024, was seen on the sidelines during the national championship game. His presence wasn’t just ceremonial.
Brady’s role in the organization is meaningful, and it’s not hard to imagine he was doing a little scouting of his own. If Mendoza ends up in Silver and Black, it’s the kind of move that could mark the beginning of a new era in Las Vegas.
What Comes Next
Now that Mendoza has declared, the countdown begins. The combine, pro days, interviews - all the usual draft season checkpoints are ahead.
But make no mistake: Mendoza has already made his case. He’s a proven winner, a playmaker, and a leader.
And with the Raiders holding the top pick, the fit feels almost too perfect.
The NFL is about to get a dose of what Indiana fans have known for the last three years - Fernando Mendoza is the real deal.