Fernando Mendoza, Indiana's Heisman Trophy-winning QB, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. His mother plays a significant role in his journey to this historic achievement.
Key points
Fernando Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy winner
He led Indiana to its first national title
Projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Las Vegas Raiders likely to select him
His mother is a significant influence in his life
Mentioned in this story
Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando MendozaNFL DraftNFLIndiana Hoosiers
Fernando Mendoza's mom is Indiana QB's 'why.' What to know of top NFL draft pick's mother
Only 13 Hoosiers have been taken in the first round of the NFL draft, and no quarterbacks. The highest-drafted quarterback in program history is Babe Laufenberg, who was taken in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the No. 168 overall pick.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback is set to take in all that history and see his childhood dream become a reality (which will come with a payday of over $54 million) from the comfort of his hometown of Miami with his friends and family, including his best friend and mom, Elsa Mendoza.
Here's what to know about Fernando Mendoza's mom ahead of the NFL draft:
Q&A
Who is Fernando Mendoza and why is he significant in the NFL draft?
Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana, projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What role did Fernando Mendoza's mother play in his football career?
Fernando Mendoza's mother is a key influence in his life, serving as his motivation and support throughout his football journey.
When is the 2026 NFL Draft scheduled to take place?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 2026, though the exact date has not been announced yet.
Which team is projected to select Fernando Mendoza in the NFL Draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders are projected to select Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
1 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.
See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.
3 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
4 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
5 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.
6 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
7 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
8 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.
9 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.
10 / 10
See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft
Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Who is Fernando Mendoza's mom?
Fernando Mendoza's mom is Elsa Mendoza, who played women's tennis at the University of Miami. The Hurricanes declined Fernando Mendoza a walk-on opportunity coming out of high school at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.
"I see her fighting every single day and with a smile on her face," Fernando Mendoza told Eisen. "So there's no excuse for me to have a bad day, bad play or bad game. I'm always trying to have an optimistic approach, give the best and serve the best to my teammates."
In his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech, Mendoza thanked his mother and said they were "rewriting what people think is possible."
"Mami, this is your trophy as much as it is mine. You've always been my biggest fan. You're my light. You're my 'Why.' You're my biggest supporter. Your sacrifice, courage, love those have been my first playbook, and the playbook that I'm gonna carry through my side through my entire life," Fernando Mendoza said. "You taught me that toughness doesn't need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It's choosing hope. It's believing in yourself when the world doesn't give you much reason to.
"Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible. I love you."
What illness does Fernando Mendoza's mom have?
Elsa Mendoza has multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system. In a letter written to Fernando Mendoza on The Players' Tribune, Elsa Mendoza said she was diagnosed about 18 years ago. Her battle took a "downhill" turn about five years ago, when she was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Despite her battle with multiple sclerosis, Elsa Mendoza still had a notable presence at Indiana's games this past season, including the Big Ten Championship and the Hoosiers' national championship run in the College Football Playoff, in the stands while sitting in her wheelchair.
"You’ve made it so much easier. And you’ve done that in the sweetest, strongest, most Fernando way possible — by making me feel the exact opposite of embarrassed. You’ve made me feel seen. Whether it was giving me full debriefs of your college visits, what you liked and disliked (pictures included) … or it was calling me before some big game I had to miss while in treatment … or it’s being so vocal and passionate about MS fundraising … or it’s even something as silly as joking, 'Wait, did you put on a few pounds???' when you have to carry me up the stairs … you’ve always kept that same spark in your eye," Elsa Mendoza wrote.
"No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having — you’ve never once looked away. You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by. And even as my condition has gotten worse, and as our lives continue to change around that fact: You manage to make me feel like I’m still every part of myself. Like I’m still that same person you’ve been teammates with since we got through our first Boston winter together. Like I’m still that same mom."
Why isn't Fernando Mendoza at NFL draft?
Fernando Mendoza will not be in Pittsburgh for the first round of the draft. Instead, he will be home in Miami with his family and friends for a draft watch party, as that is "a lot easier" for his family and their eventual travel plans to the city of the NFL team that drafts him.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home and so did my parents," Mendoza told Eisen on Monday. "It's a lot easier for us with the family situation. We're going to have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways and for that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home."
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza avoids a tackle by Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31) as he carries the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown on a fourth-down play against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza dives for a touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
Fernando Mendoza dives into the end zone for a touchdown.
Fernando Mendoza celebrates with his teammates after rushing for a touchdown.
Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates his fourth-down touchdown scored during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza avoids a tackle by Miami linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31) as he carries the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown on a fourth-down play against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza dives for a touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against Miami.
9 / 11
Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza dives into the end zone for a touchdown.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza celebrates with his teammates after rushing for a touchdown.
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Fernando Mendoza has Heisman moment with fourth-down TD vs. Miami
Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates his fourth-down touchdown scored during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
