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Fernando Mendoza sky-rocketed to nan apical of each NFL pundit’s draught committee during nan people of nan 2025 assemblage shot play arsenic nan Indiana Hoosiers standout won nan Heisman Trophy and led nan schoolhouse to a nationalist championship.
Mendoza’s position stayed cleanable arsenic nan Las Vegas Raiders selected him pinch nan No. 1 wide prime successful this year’s draft. He will beryllium tasked pinch returning nan franchise backmost to glory nether caput coach Klint Kubiak and seasoned backmost Kirk Cousins, who is group to service arsenic Mendoza’s mentor.
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Las Vegas Raiders backmost Fernando Mendoza runs done a drill during a rookie minicamp astatine Intermountain Health Performance Center successful Henderson, Nev., connected May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
A detractor came retired of nan woodwork connected Monday arsenic an anonymous ACC coach told ESPN that he didn’t judge Mendoza had nan "NFL traits." The coach competed against Mendoza erstwhile nan backmost was tossing nan pigskin astir for nan Cal Golden Bears.
"He's a bully decision-maker, but I don't deliberation he's sewage nan NFL traits," nan coach told ESPN. "They're each back-shoulder (throws). That's not moving successful nan NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look amended than he is. In nan NFL, those throws are getting picked off."
FERNANDO MENDOZA, THE NO 1 PICK OF NFL DRAFT TO THE RAIDERS, TASKED WITH RETURNING A LEGACY FRANCHISE TO GLORY
Las Vegas Raiders backmost Fernando Mendoza warms up during a rookie minicamp astatine Intermountain Health Performance Center successful Henderson, Nev., connected May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
Mendoza showed grit and determination pinch immoderate of nan throws he made astatine Indiana. One that comes to mind is nan game-winning touchdown walk to Omar Cooper Jr. against Penn State.
Cooper made nan drawback and an unthinkable toe-tap for nan touchdown pinch 36 seconds near successful nan game, which kept Indiana’s dream play alive.
Raiders general head John Spytek said past period he nixed immoderate talk of trading nan No. 1 prime because he was judge Mendoza would beryllium their guy.
"I deliberation immoderate coach is excited to activity pinch a big, athletic, talented thrower that is highly smart and a very driven worker, and that’s been our acquisition pinch Fernando," Spytek said. "That’s a awesome starting spot for immoderate quarterback."
It’s nan bosom that Mendoza showed passim nan season, including successful nan nationalist title crippled against nan Miami Hurricanes, that made him an charismatic imaginable for NFL teams.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected arsenic nan No. 1 wide prime successful nan 2026 NFL draught by nan Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news convention astatine nan Raiders Headquarters successful Henderson, Nev., connected April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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He had 3,535 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes successful his lone play astatine Indiana.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is simply a elder editor for Fox News Digital.
