Mendoza is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick for a reason. Here's Nate Tice's extended evaluation into the Heisman Trophy winner, who project to be a very good franchise-level QB for a long time, similar to one of the best from the 2010s.

The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly plan to use their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft to make the transition to the league easier for the projected No. 1 overall selection.

Fernando Mendoza, a slam dunk to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders later this month, will not be in attendance to hear his name called in Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium. Instead, Mendoza will opt to be with his family in Miami.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will not attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Instead, he'll be with family in Miami.

The Raiders will take Indiana football star Fernando Mendoza No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, but could another Hoosier follow?

Fernando Mendoza, expected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, will watch the NFL draft with family and friends in Miami, someone with knowledge of the quarterback's plans said Tuesday. That person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Mendoza hasn't made his plans public.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to use the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but all signs point to a departure from tradition. He won’t be walking across the stage in Pittsburgh to hear his name called.

Fernando Mendoza came into the 2026 NFL Draft cycle with the kind of pre-draft profile that front offices dream about. A Heisman Trophy. A 16-0 national championship season at Indiana. A pro day where he completed 53 of 56 passes.