What Fernando Mendoza, Curt Cignetti said after IU QB was No. 1 pick to Raiders in 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

Fernando Mendoza was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. This historic moment follows his impressive performance leading Indiana to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy.

Key points

Fernando Mendoza selected as No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season
He won the Heisman Trophy
Las Vegas Raiders made the selection
Curt Cignetti is the head coach of Indiana football

Mentioned in this story

Curt Cignetti

Fernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders2026 NFL DraftNFL

What Fernando Mendoza, Curt Cignetti said after IU QB was No. 1 pick to Raiders in 2026 NFL Draft

Curt Cignetti watched his Indiana football starting offense exit the field, and he immediately began directing traffic for the second series of the Indiana football spring game.

The cameras cut away to the second-teamers getting ready to go against each other. Then the crowd began erupting as Roger Goodell stepped to the podium, seconds after it happened in real time, as Fernando Mendoza became the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders.

It wasn't a surprise, but it was a historic moment. Mendoza delivered IU a 16-0 season and College Football Playoff national championship. He became the program's first Heisman Trophy winner, though not the first No. 1 pick after Corbett "Corby" Davis in 1938.

While thousands packed Memorial Stadium for the spring game, and many were tasked with choosing between watching the draft and game, here is what was said on the two broadcasts.

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"The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can't thank him enough. I'm just looking forward to getting to work, proving it at the next level," Mendoza told ESPN after the selection. "College was fantastic, I'm so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game, the NFL, and I look forward to proving and earning it every single day."

Mendoza opted to stay home in Miami, sharing the moment with his . She has multiple sclerosis, and Fernando wanted to ease the burden of his family's travel — especially after their trips watching him with the Hoosiers, and his , his backup in 2025.