Fernando Mendoza declares for NFL Draft, likely to be No. 1 overall pick
Fernando Mendoza, as expected, is going pro.
The quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and proud Miami Christopher Columbus High alumnus who led the Indiana Hooisers to their first ever College Football Playoff national championship announced on Friday that he is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Let’s get to work,” Mendoza posted on his personal Instagram alongside a montage video of highlights of his season. “I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!”
Wherever he does eventually get selected on April 23, it will be the latest milestone on his storybook journey from underrecruited out of Columbus to getting an 11th-hour scholarship offer by Cal to then leading Indiana’s undefeated championship run.
Mendoza’s draft declaration caps a wild 24 hours in which he also made appearances on “The Tonight Show Starting Jimmy Fallon” and “Good Morning America.”
Mendoza finished this season completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions. In three College Football Playoff games, Mendoza was 47 for 63 (74.6%) for 555 yards and eight touchdowns without a turnover.
As for what the top draft analysts are saying, here’s a roundup:
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: “Mendoza could join Joe Burrow and Cam Newton in going undefeated for the season, winning the Heisman Trophy and the national championship, and going No. 1 in the draft all inside a 12-month window,” Kiper wrote. “Mendoza transferred to the Hoosiers from Cal and immediately leveled up, throwing 41 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in 2025. I see great ball placement on the tape, and he’s a no-brainer to begin Round 1. Las Vegas could start to build something offensively here with Mendoza, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.”
ESPN’s Field Yates: “The Heisman Trophy winner brings a comprehensive skill set led by exceptional accuracy to all levels of the field, a powerful arm and a rock-solid stature. Mendoza has completed 73% of his passes this season (third highest in FBS), including five separate games with a completion percentage north of 85%. He has 41 touchdown passes to six interceptions.
“Mendoza has the functional mobility to navigate the pocket, and he showed improvements with his decision-making in one season at Indiana after two years at Cal. He took 22 sacks in 2025 compared to 41 in 2024, though he did benefit from the Hoosiers having a better offensive line. Mendoza’s final college season included clutch moments and poise that suggest he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the early rigors of being a rookie QB.”
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards: “The 2026 NFL Draft is similar to 2025 in that there is only one quarterback worthy of No. 1 overall consideration. The Raiders are expected to take that player, but the real questions begin post-Fernando Mendoza selection. Las Vegas’ roster is not in a state to support a rookie quarterback. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are good pieces, along with running back Ashton Jeanty, but they need another receiver and multiple offensive linemen.”
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 9:34 AM.
.JPG)