Fernando Mendoza’s NFL Stock Rising as Raiders Legend Weighs In on Heisman-Winning QB
As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, the buzz around Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is starting to sound more like a drumline. After a historic college season that saw him rewrite the record books in Bloomington, Mendoza is now squarely in the conversation for teams looking to find their next franchise quarterback - and the Las Vegas Raiders might just be one of them.
Raiders legend Reggie Kinlaw recently shared his thoughts on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and his comments offer a glimpse into how Mendoza is being viewed by NFL veterans who know what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“(Mendoza) is a smart kid,” Kinlaw said. “I like the way he carries himself.
He’s not cocky. He’s not one of those bougie-looking guys.
I know he reads defenses pretty good. That’s the college level.
You’re going to have to change that up when you get to the pros.”
That last point is key. Reading college defenses is one thing.
Doing it against NFL-caliber schemes with disguised coverages, blitz packages, and elite athletes on the other side of the ball? That’s where the learning curve steepens.
But Kinlaw’s assessment suggests Mendoza has the mental makeup to handle the transition - a critical trait for any young quarterback stepping into a leadership role at the pro level.
Kinlaw didn’t stop there. He also touched on Mendoza’s physical tools - and while the delivery was light-hearted, the message was clear.
“He’s a little mobile,” Kinlaw said. “He’s 6-foot-5, so his running style kind of like a giraffe or something like that.
But hey, as long as he can get you five yards. He loves the game.
You can tell this kid loves the game. I think he’s one of those guys who watch film a lot, and he’s coachable.”
There’s a lot to unpack there. First, the mobility.
Mendoza isn’t going to be confused with Lamar Jackson anytime soon, but he’s got enough movement to extend plays and pick up yards when the pocket breaks down. At 6'5", his strides might look a little awkward, but if he’s picking up first downs and keeping drives alive, nobody’s going to care how smooth it looks.
More importantly, Kinlaw's comments about Mendoza’s passion and coachability hit at the core of what NFL teams want in a young quarterback. Talent gets you drafted. Work ethic and adaptability keep you in the league.
And make no mistake - Mendoza’s college résumé is as polished as they come.
He just capped off a perfect 16-0 season with Indiana, including a 9-0 run through the Big 12, leading the Hoosiers to their first-ever No. 1 national ranking. That alone would be enough to turn heads. But Mendoza didn’t just manage games - he dominated them.
He threw for 2,980 yards, led the nation with 33 touchdown passes, and completed 71.5% of his throws. Add in 240 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground, and you’ve got a quarterback who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. That kind of dual-threat efficiency is rare - especially when it comes with elite decision-making and leadership.
The hardware backs it up. Mendoza became the first player in Indiana program history to win the Heisman Trophy, and he didn’t stop there. He also took home the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and most recently, the Manning Award.
Now, Mendoza is turning his attention to the next step: the NFL Combine.
“I look forward to attending the combine,” he told reporters during a video call after receiving the Manning Award. “I always watch it on TV growing up - being a big NFL Network junkie - just sitting there on the couch and watching those highlights, watching the reruns of the combine.”
While Mendoza hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll participate in on-field drills, his presence alone will be enough to draw a crowd. Teams will want to see how he carries himself, how he interviews, how he breaks down film - all the intangible stuff that separates the good from the great.
And if Kinlaw’s read on him is any indication, Mendoza checks a lot of those boxes already.
The Raiders - and plenty of other QB-needy teams - will be watching closely.