The Las Vegas Raiders have selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking a historic moment for the franchise and the player’s collegiate career.
Mendoza, who led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated 16-0 season and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2025, was the consensus choice for the top selection after a dominant campaign that included 41 passing touchdowns and a 72% completion rate.
The Heisman Trophy winner, who also earned the Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, becomes the fifth Heisman winner drafted by the Raiders organization, joining Marcus Allen (1982), Bo Jackson (1987), Tim Brown (1988), and Charles Woodson (1998).
Selected on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Mendoza’s arrival in Las Vegas ushers in a new era for a Raiders team that has made just two playoff appearances in 23 seasons and hasn’t won a postseason game since their Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season.
Following the departure of Derek Carr, the Raiders have experienced instability at quarterback, cycling through seven starting signal-callers over the past three seasons and posting a 15-36 record during that span.
Mendoza is now tasked with bringing exuberant change to a franchise seeking stability and success after years of inconsistency at the game’s most important position.
His collegiate resume also includes a stint with the California Golden Bears, where he appeared in 20 games, completing 66.5% of his passes for 4,712 yards and 30 touchdowns before transferring to Indiana.
The selection solidifies Mendoza’s status as one of the most decorated college football players in recent memory, capping off a remarkable journey that culminated in the highest honor in the sport and the top pick in the NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders have selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking a historic moment for the franchise and the player’s collegiate career.
Mendoza, who led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated 16-0 season and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2025, was the consensus choice for the top selection after a dominant campaign that included 41 passing touchdowns and a 72% completion rate.
The Heisman Trophy winner, who also earned the Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, becomes the fifth Heisman winner drafted by the Raiders organization, joining Marcus Allen (1982), Bo Jackson (1987), Tim Brown (1988), and Charles Woodson (1998).
Selected on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Mendoza’s arrival in Las Vegas ushers in a new era for a Raiders team that has made just two playoff appearances in 23 seasons and hasn’t won a postseason game since their Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season.
Following the departure of Derek Carr, the Raiders have experienced instability at quarterback, cycling through seven starting signal-callers over the past three seasons and posting a 15-36 record during that span.
Mendoza is now tasked with bringing exuberant change to a franchise seeking stability and success after years of inconsistency at the game’s most important position.
His collegiate resume also includes a stint with the California Golden Bears, where he appeared in 20 games, completing 66.5% of his passes for 4,712 yards and 30 touchdowns before transferring to Indiana.
The selection solidifies Mendoza’s status as one of the most decorated college football players in recent memory, capping off a remarkable journey that culminated in the highest honor in the sport and the top pick in the NFL Draft.
