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Fernando Mendoza is āecstaticā to be drafted by Raiders
Fernando Mendoza is ecstatic to be drafted by the Raiders as their new franchise QB!
Yahoo Sports1 min read
NFL
Fernando Mendoza shares emotional moment with family after being drafted by Las Vegas Raiders
TL;DR
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza celebrated this milestone at home with his family instead of attending the event in Pittsburgh.
Key points
- Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza first overall in 2026 NFL Draft
- Mendoza celebrated the draft at home with family
- He previously played at Cal and transferred to Indiana
Fernando MendozaIndianaCalLas Vegas Raiders
The NFL opened the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock, and their choice came as no surprise.
With the first overall pick, the Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The most anticipated decision of the draft was never in doubt.
Mendoza chose not to travel to Pittsburgh for the event, instead celebrating at home surrounded by his entire family.
MORE: How to buy Fernando Mendoza Las Vegas Raiders NFL jerseys
He shared the moment with his biggest supportersāthose who stood by him through recruiting, his commitment to Cal, and his transfer to Indiana.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza hugs his mother, Elsa Mendoza.
Sharing his finest hour
ESPN captured the emotional scene as Mendoza heard his name called. With his mother by his side, he embraced his family as he realized a lifelong dream.
In a remarkable five-month span, Mendozaās family watched him become a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion, and now the first overall pick.
The entire Mendoza family donned silver-and-black draft caps to celebrate the occasion. Mendoza now turns his focus to the next chapter of his football career.
MORE: 2026 NFL Draft tracker & results, full list of first-round picks
Q&A
Who was selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.
Why did Fernando Mendoza choose to celebrate at home instead of in Pittsburgh?
Fernando Mendoza opted to celebrate at home surrounded by his family, who have supported him throughout his journey.
What is Fernando Mendoza's background before being drafted?
Fernando Mendoza previously played at Cal before transferring to Indiana, where he gained attention leading up to the draft.
