Fernando Mendoza Relays His Thoughts On Potentially Joining Raiders As No. 1 Pick

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza helped Indiana put an undefeated headdress connected their storybook play this week by starring nan Hoosiers to a 27–21 triumph complete Miami successful nan CFP nationalist championship. The 22-year-old went a humble 16-for-28 passing successful nan title for 186 yards, but was capable to do his portion to thief seal nan triumph successful nan 4th fourth by breaking loose for an epic 4th-and-five touchdown run adjacent nan extremity statement to springiness Indiana a two-score lead.

Now? Mendoza is backmost connected nan occupation market, wherever he's #OpenToWork aft officially declaring for nan NFL draught connected Friday. He's wide expected to beryllium nan No. 1 pick—a action nan Raiders presently ain aft going conscionable 3–14 this past season.

MORE: Indiana Football QB Depth Chart: Who Will Replace Fernando Mendoza?

Without a semipermanent reply nether center, Las Vegas feels for illustration a earthy landing spot for Mendoza. The awesome caller said astir nan anticipation of landing successful Sin City during a caller quality connected The Today Show.

“I’d beryllium blessed to play anywhere,” Mendoza, humble arsenic ever, explained. “The No. 1 prime is simply a awesome blessing, but immoderate prime is simply a awesome blessing. You only request 1 squad to judge successful you, truthful immoderate squad believes successful me, I’m going to springiness them my astir ... The Raiders person a awesome culture, awesome coaching staff, awesome ownership group. It’s each around. Those are legit guys, truthful I’d beryllium happy to extremity up anywhere.”

Raiders number proprietor Tom Brady speaks connected Fernando Mendoza’s “very bright” future

Speaking of nan nationalist title game, NFL legend, Fox Sports broadcaster, and—perhaps astir notably, fixed nan circumstances—Raiders number proprietor Tom Brady was among those connected manus to watch Mendoza and nan Hoosiers connected Monday night. The 48-year-old is erstwhile again expected to beryllium heavy progressive successful nan team's search for a caller caput coach, and is apt to person plentifulness of opportunity successful who they prime astatine nan apical of nan first round.

While speaking pinch Colin Cowherd connected Fox Sports’ The Herd this week, Brady relayed his sentiment connected Mendoza.

“He’s played tremendous each season,” said nan seven-time Super Bowl champion. “16–0, starring his team. And again he’s different feline that erstwhile you perceive him speak—I ever judge quarterbacks [by asking], ‘How would I person answered that?’ And he’s conscionable a very mature young man and he’s sewage a agleam future.”

“You cognize everybody coming into nan league, there’s still truthful overmuch room for development,” Brady continued “Nobody is simply a vanished product. I don’t attraction if you’ve won nan Heisman aliases if you’re nan 199th prime successful nan draft. It's what do you do erstwhile you get there? How important is this to you? Are you obsessed pinch your job? Are you obsessed pinch being nan champion you tin be? These young men, whether it's Fernando aliases a batch of different players that were connected nan section nan different night, they person a awesome opportunity to do thing successful their life, to heighten their family's life, to spell effect a organization successful a affirmative measurement by playing awesome shot and bringing joyousness to nan fanbase. And that's a occupation you return very seriously, truthful each these young prospects, I dream they spell to environments that clasp them completely, that tin thief them create into nan champion subordinate they tin be.”

We’ll spot if Las Vegas yet decides to clasp and create Mendoza. The first information of nan 2026 NFL draught is group for Thursday, April 23.

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