Raiders take quarterback Mendoza with No. 1 NFL draft pick

TL;DR

The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, led Indiana to a national championship and aims to revive the Raiders' struggling franchise.

Key points

Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza first overall in 2026 NFL Draft
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a national title
He completed 273 passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns in college
Mendoza watched the draft from home in Miami with family
Raiders aim to revive franchise after missing playoffs for four seasons

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Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza2026 NFL Draft

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to the US college football crown, was taken first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders (Justin Casterline) (Justin Casterline/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) The Las Vegas Raiders took quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one pick in the NFL draft on Thursday, hoping the Heisman Trophy winner can help revive a franchise that has missed the playoffs for the past four seasons. Cuban-American Mendoza was widely expected to go first overall after leading Indiana to the United States college football crown and bagging the Heisman as college football's top player. He led the Hoosiers to an unbeaten campaign and their first national title, completing 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions. The 22-year-old also ran 90 times for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. The 91st edition of the annual allocation of unclaimed talent was held in Pittsburgh, at the Steelers' Acrisure Stadium. Mendoza opted to not to attend, instead watching the proceedings with family and friends at home in Miami, in part because the travel would have been difficult for his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis. But broadcaster ESPN was on the scene in Florida, where Mendoza's selection sparked laughter and hugs. "I'm just looking forward to getting to work, prove it at the next level," a beaming Mendoza, a Raiders cap perched on his head, told ESPN. "College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career. "But now I step into a great game, the NFL. (I) look forward to proving and earning it every single day." It remains to be seen how soon Mendoza might step into a starting role. But the Raiders are in need of a top quarterback after going 3-14 last year. They haven't won a post-season game since they won the 2003 Super Bowl. Mendoza's selection by the Raiders was widely expected, but things were less clear for other teams. The New York Jets were slated to select second, followed by the , , and . bb/rcw

Q&A

Who is Fernando Mendoza and why was he drafted first overall?

Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to the US college football championship, making him a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.

What are Fernando Mendoza's college football statistics?

Mendoza completed 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, along with 90 rushes for 276 yards and seven touchdowns.

What challenges did Mendoza face during the NFL Draft?

Mendoza chose not to attend the draft in person to support his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and watched the event from home in Miami.