Fernando Mendoza will have some buddies with him

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - OCTOBER 25: Fernando Mendoza #15 and E.J. Williams Jr. #7 of the Indiana Hoosiers run to the sidelines against the UCLA Bruins at Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There was some speculation the Las Vegas Raiders would select some of Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana teammates after making him the N0. 1 overall pick in last weekend’s draft.

The speculation surrounded around wide receivers Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt and running back Kaelon Black. But, in the end, Mendoza was the only players from the Hoosiers’ first ever national championship team that was drafted by the Raiders.

However, that didn’t stop the Raiders’ interest in Indiana players. The reportedly signed Hoosiers’ running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams and invited wide receiver Jonathan Brady to their rookie minicamp. The team reportedly signed Brady after the minicamp.

So, it’s clear while spending all of their time studying Mendoza, the Raiders became interested in some of his skill-position teammates. It’s easy to see way.

Hemby had 1,120 yards (4.9 per carry average) and seven touchdowns for the Hoosiers last season. He has a chance to make the team behind Ashton Jeanty and fourth-round pick, Mike Washington.

Williams, 6-4, 203 pounds, had 36 catches for 438 yards (12.2 per catch average) and six touchdowns while playing with Mendoza last season. He has a chance to stick on the practice squad if he can Mendoza can keep up their chemistry in training camp and in the preseason.

Brady had 14 catches for 115 yards (8.2 per catch average) with three touchdowns last season.