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The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza pinch nan No. 1 prime successful Thursday night’s NFL Draft.
Mendoza led nan Indiana HoosiersIndiana Hoosiers to a nationalist title and he won nan Heisman Trophy for nan twelvemonth he produced pinch nan team.
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Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza warms up earlier nan CFP National Championship crippled against nan Miami Hurricanes astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
The 22-year-old was nan projected No. 1 prime successful galore mock drafts arsenic soon arsenic Indiana vanished disconnected nan Miami Hurricanes successful nan nationalist championship. He impressed scouts pinch his workouts and was, by far, nan apical quarterback.
Former NFL prima Shawne Merriman told Fox News Digital what made Mendoza nan apical feline beyond what draught reports person said.
"He’s nan astir complete player," nan erstwhile San Diego Chargers linebacker said. "I deliberation he’s nan astir NFL fresh of guys you tin conscionable propulsion connected nan section and person them spell retired location and play correct away. Nothing (against) nan different guys. The backmost astatine Alabama (Ty Simpson), there’s immoderate really bully quarterbacks successful this draft. But that No. 1 prime is special.
Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza throws nan ceremonial first transportation earlier a crippled betwixt nan Miami Marlins and nan St. Louis Cardinals astatine loanDepot Park successful Miami, Florida, connected Apr. 21, 2026. (Rhona Wise/Imagn Images)
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"That No. 1 prime is typical because that No. 1 prime solidifies you arsenic nan very champion subordinate successful this draught and who a franchise is going to trust on, who they’re going to build their full adjacent 5-10 years around. That No. 1 prime says a batch astir who you are and what you tin do for a franchise."
Mendoza will beryllium tasked pinch returning nan Raiders backmost to glory. The squad besides brought successful Kirk Cousins to thief mentor nan Florida autochthonal arsenic he originates his NFL journey.
Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza celebrates aft defeating nan Miami Hurricanes successful nan College Football Playoff National Championship crippled astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Mendoza only played 1 year astatine Indiana.
He had 41 touchdown passes and 3,535 passing yards. Indiana vanished nan twelvemonth 16-0.
Ryan Gaydos is simply a elder editor for Fox News Digital.
