Fernando Mendoza will almost certainly make history to start the 2026 NFL Draft.
After leading Indiana to its first national title in program history, Mendoza is a virtual lock to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. Barring the most shocking fall ever, the Heisman Trophy winner will become the highest-drafted Hoosiers quarterback since Washington selected Babe Laufenberg at pick No. 168 in 1983.
Laufenberg has poked fun at the pending moment, posting a daily countdown to Mendoza breaking the record on social media. He went a step further on Tuesday, playfully mourning the upcoming loss of his milestone.
"48 hours for my 43-year reign to end," Laufenberg wrote. "An appropriately gloomy, rainy day here in North Texas. Even the sky is crying (with a nod to Stevie Ray Vaughn). I will be passing the torch, hoping not to burn Fernando Mendoza’s passing hand. Thoughts and prayers for me, please."
"I guess all records truly are meant to be broken"
© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Laufenberg wasn't quite a prospect on par with Mendoza. He tallied 19 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in two seasons with the Hoosiers, who won eight combined games in 1981 and 1982.
The late draft selection completed 93 of 211 pass attempts for 1,057 yards, five touchdowns, and 11 picks in his brief NFL career. Laufenberg made six of his seven career starts for the San Diego Chargers in 1988.
Mendoza, on the other hand, enters the NFL with considerable momentum. He powered a dominant Hoosiers offense with 41 touchdowns in an undefeated season.
Laufenberg joked about the consensus No. 1 choice stumbling down the draft board earlier this month.
"Mendoza had his pro day at IU yesterday. Did any of you draft gurus see anything to lead you to believe he might drop to #169?" Laufenberg asked on April 2.
On Monday, Laufenberg noted that he's three days away from "possibly" losing his distinction.
"There are records always thought to be unbreakable," Laufenberg said. "Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points. (Joe) DiMaggio’s 56 game hit streak. And The Bambino selected at 168. I guess all records truly are meant to be broken."
Laufenberg shouldn't wait long to see Mendoza take the record once the draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
