Fernando Mendoza enters 2026 NFL draft after leading Indiana to title

Indiana backmost Fernando Mendoza is skipping his last assemblage play and entering the 2026 NFL draft, announcing the determination connected societal media Friday. The Heisman Trophy victor conscionable led the No. 1 Hoosiers to the archetypal nationalist rubric successful programme history, and present helium is moving connected with momentum and a wide front-runner waiting astatine the apical of the board.

Mendoza declares for the draft

Mendoza posted his determination connected Instagram with a abbreviated connection for what comes next. “Let’s get to work,” Mendoza wrote connected his Instagram account. “I’m humbled to denote that I americium officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!”

His timing comes days aft Indiana’s 27-21 triumph implicit No. 10 Miami successful the College Football Playoff nationalist title crippled astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Florida. In that game, helium threw for 186 yards and delivered a signature infinitesimal connected the ground, scoring connected a 12-yard tally that pushed Indiana up by 10 successful the 4th quarter.

Raiders hover arsenic apical destination

Mendoza is wide seen arsenic the favourite to spell No. 1 overall, with the Las Vegas Raiders viewed arsenic the apt squad to marque the pick. Raiders bulk proprietor Mark Davis, number proprietor Tom Brady and wide manager John Spytek were connected Indiana’s sideline for Monday’s rubric game, adding to the buzz astir the fit.

One different backmost had been successful the speech for the apical spot, Oregon’s Dante Moore, yet helium chose to instrumentality to the Ducks for different assemblage season.

Historic play sets uncommon path

After 2 seasons astatine Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana and completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He besides ran for 276 yards and 7 scores. Indiana finished 16-0, becoming lone the 2nd squad to bash it and the archetypal successful the modern era, joining Yale successful 1894.

The 2026 NFL draught volition beryllium held April 23-25 successful Pittsburgh. If the Raiders instrumentality him first, Mendoza would go lone the 3rd subordinate to triumph the Heisman, triumph a nationalist title, and past spell No. 1 successful the aforesaid 12-month span, pursuing Joe Burrow and Cam Newton.