Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft later this week.
The former Indiana Hoosiers great, who led his college football program to a national championship and Heisman Trophy in his final year, is expected to go with the top pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mendoza has already been meeting with Las Vegas and learning the Raiders offense.
“This feels kinda less like a formality and more like a preview of what’s to come,” said Alex Belcastro, a sports anchor at KSNV-TV News 3 in Las Vegas. “So take a good look at your quarterback. Reports say Fernando Mendoza has already started learning Klint Kubiak’s offense ahead of the draft.”
NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah added: “Fernando Mendoza is working with Brian Griese right now, and it’s not so much that they’re working on footwork. They’re installing the Raiders’ offense. He’s full speed ahead.”
Mendoza will not be attending the NFL Draft in person. Instead, he'll be celebrating with family and friends in Florida.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Will Mendoza be celebrating with a special someone on Thursday night?
Mendoza, who is from South Florida, has already announced that he is single. He doesn't have time for social media, let alone a relationship right now.
"I only have LinkedIn and YouTube on my phone right now," he told the media before the national championship game.
"It's really helped put things in perspective. I'm not online reading, 'Fernando is great, Fernando stinks.' I'm listening to what my quarterback coach says and what the quarterbacks in our room think.
"That is what my focus is and that's how I've been able to play my best football so far."
The first round of the NFL Draft is set for Thursday night, live from Pittsburgh.
