Fernando Mendoza becomes fourth QB since 1967 to win Heisman, Natty, and go No. 1 to Las Vegas

Taylor McGregor, a college football reporter for ESPN, asked Mendoza about his incredible journey. In the last five months, he won the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and now he is the first overall pick in the NFL draft. How have the last five months changed his life?

“The last five months has been such a blessing by God, and I can't thank him enough,” Fernando Mendoza said. “I'm just looking forward to get to work, prove at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game of the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”

When asked what excites him about the Raiders and this opportunity, Fernando Mendoza said:

“What a great organization, great legacy. There's so many great teammates. I'm looking forward to talking to coaches, owners. I'm ecstatic for the opportunity.”

Mendoza began his college career at the California Golden Bears, from where he joined the Indiana Hoosiers through the transfer portal in the 2025 offseason. Before Mendoza's arrival, the Hoosiers had never experienced a 10-win season, but Mendoza led them to a perfect 16-0 record and their first national championship.

Last month, Raiders General Manager John Spytek said he hopes this will be their last No. 1 pick.

"It [has] to be the last time we ever have [the top draft choice]," he said.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti emphasized Mendoza's work ethic, saying that if there were 25 hours in a day, Mendoza would spend all of them preparing.

The Raiders experienced a major "draft bust" with JaMarcus Russell in 2007, so there's a lot of pressure on Mendoza to succeed.

In December, Mendoza was awarded the Heisman Trophy, making him Indiana's first winner and creating history. In January, he led Indiana to its first National Championship with a 27-21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes, a game played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.