Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza joined the Las Vegas Raiders because the primary general NFL Draft 2026 decide on Thursday.
The 22-year-old gained the Heisman Trophy for one of the best school participant after main his workforce to the nationwide championship.
Raiders normal supervisor John Spytek referred to as Mendoza “an excellent individual”. “He’s about the appropriate issues: it’s about his workforce, it’s about profitable,” added Spytek.
101GreatGoals.com takes a take a look at the primary decide within the draft and has the complete first spherical outcomes, in addition to particulars on learn how to observe the forthcoming rounds.
Why the Las Vegas Raiders have signed Fernando Mendoza
The 6ft 4in sensation was the Large Ten Convention Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Quarterback of the 12 months and named within the first-team All-Large Ten.
“He’s simply so hungry for something soccer,” noticed Spytek. “Anyone he’s round that he can draw one thing from or be taught one thing from, he’s into it.
“There’s a humility to him that I actually respect. That may be underrated in our occupation – particularly with the gamers – however there’s a humility and a self consciousness to him that he is aware of it is a actually large bounce.
“We’re going to help him organizationally one of the best that we will. He is aware of that the blokes in that room, Kirk [cousins] and Aidan [O’Connell], have performed quite a lot of good soccer on this league and I’m certain he’ll be taught loads from them, and he is aware of that.
“[For him] it’s about doing the appropriate factor, being accountable to the entire group. It’s little or no to do with all of the accolades he received after [Indiana] gained all these video games.
“He’s actually good. He works actually exhausting. This implies loads to him. I don’t assume that being the primary general decide and profitable the Heisman and all of the issues that he’s gotten will change him.
“I believe it’s going to truly make him work more durable to show that he’s value all that after which earn much more.”
John Spytek addresses the media to recap Spherical 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. https://t.co/iZean2rTr1
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 24, 2026
Tom Brady: Las Vegas Raiders co-owner ‘wished Mendoza greatest’
Mendoza, who didn’t attend the ceremony, has mentioned that working with Raiders co-owner and NFL icon Tom Brady “would imply the world”.
“He’s said that he’s going to pour into no matter quarterback they take,” Mendoza instructed The Wealthy Eisner Present of Brady.
“To have that chance can be nice. He’d be a boss, so it wouldn’t be like six-year-old Fernando envisioned it – being greatest mates.
“It’d be cool and I need to be pushed to be one of the best quarterback I can change into, say what I’m all about and stay that have.”
Mendoza had already spoken to seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion Brady and visited the Raiders’ services earlier than the draft.
“He was on FaceTime for round 15 seconds, simply saying good day and good luck,” Mendoza defined.
“He wished me one of the best. To see the involvement that workforce has with its possession from the highest down could be very invigorating and really thrilling.”
Fernando Mendoza stats: Quarterback’s report
Since 2024, Mendoza has thrown 39 touchdowns with no interceptions within the pink zone, in line with Professional Soccer Focus (through NFL.com).
Born in Boston, the California graduate joined Indiana and posted 3,535 passing yards with a 41-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
He rushed for seven scores throughout an undefeated 16-game season for Indiana, culminating in a 27-21 championship win over Miami.
NFL Draft 2026 outcomes: First spherical picks
Right here’s the complete listing of picks from the primary spherical, which passed off on April 24, 2026.
When is the remainder of the NFL Draft? US and UK instances 2026
Rounds two and three are on Friday, adopted by rounds 4 to seven on Saturday.
Asterisk denotes begin time subsequent day.
The place to look at the NFL Draft 2026 within the US and UK
Within the US, followers can watch the Draft on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Community.
ABC is offered by way of ESPN Plus, beginning at $29.99 monthly.
Disney Plus and Hulu may also stream ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes’ NFL Draft shows all through the occasion.
Within the UK, the Draft is free to look at on DAZN’s NFL Recreation Cross.
Tips on how to watch the NFL Draft 2026: TV channel, stay on-line stream
All the broadcast platforms can be found on an enormous number of units together with TVs and have accompanying ESPN and DAZN apps.
