Fernando Mendoza of Florida was picked first overall by Raiders in NFL Draft

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

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Fernando Mendoza, friends, family celebrate top NFL draft moment

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

2 / 2

Fernando Mendoza, friends, family celebrate top NFL draft moment

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. He didnÕt not attend the draft, but watched at home in Miami.

Who is Fernando Mendoza?

Mendoza, formerly the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, is now the fourth quarterback since 2010 to win the national title, Heisman and be drafted first overall. He joins Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Joe Burrow, and was Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner.

Though Mendoza was born in Boston, he spent the lion's share of his childhood in Miami, attending Christopher Columbus High School.

On April 23, the Mendoza Family Fund, launched in partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, was announced – and Mendoza committed $500,000 to fund multiple sclerosis research at the University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine, according to a press release.

"This fund is about my mom and the millions of people living with MS," Mendoza said in the release. "My mom has taught our family strength, resilience, and positivity. My brothers Alberto and Max, my dad, and I – we've all learned from her example. She's the reason we fight, and the reason we believe we can do something bigger than ourselves."

Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raiders pick Fernando Mendoza first overall in NFL Draft. What to know