Fernando Mendoza has made Indiana football history yet again.
The quarterback has officially become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday evening in Pittsburgh. He’s the second-ever Hoosier to go No. 1 overall, joining Corbett Davis, whom the long-defunct Cleveland Rams drafted in 1938.
Mendoza transferred to IU from Cal in December 2024, and went on to post one of the greatest individual seasons in program history, in undoubtedly the greatest team season in program history. He took the Hoosiers to a remarkable 16-0 season ending in their first-ever national championship, capturing wins in the Big Ten Championship Game, Rose Bowl, and Peach Bowl along the way. Mendoza also won Indiana’s first-ever Heisman Trophy, along with the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
The Miami native shattered IU’s single-season passing touchdown record, with 41 on the year. Mendoza also set a program single-season completion percentage record at 72 percent, and he finished second behind Nate Sudfeld with 3,535 passing yards last season.
Mendoza will have a great chance to start with the Raiders right away. They signed Kirk Cousins as a free agent in early April, but the former Michigan State Spartan has acknowledged that one of his primary roles will be serving as a veteran mentor. The Raiders have made their interest in Mendoza very clear, as general manager John Spytek and new head coach Klint Kubiak both traveled to Bloomington to watch him throw at IU’s Pro Day.
Indiana showed the historic moment on the Memorial Stadium video board during its spring game on Thursday.
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Instagram, X, and Facebook
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
