TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is Thursday-Saturday.

Fernando Mendoza

Position: Quarterback

Height/weight: 6-foot-4¾/236 pounds

College: Indiana

The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock and haven’t hidden their affinity for Mendoza as the No. 1 pick.

The 22-year-old QB owns an extensive collection of individual awards (including the Heisman Trophy) after leading Indiana to a national championship last season in his first year with the Hoosiers. He was the Associated Press Player of the Year, plus won the Walter Camp, Davey O’Brein and Maxwell awards, among others.

Mendoza completed 72% of his throws for 3,535 yards and led FBS in passing touchdowns with 41. As a runner, he added 276 yards and seven touchdowns.

He spent his first three seasons at Cal, where he passed for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

Draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Mendoza in his NFL.com profile as “a precision-based pocket passer whose game is built on rare accuracy and steady command in high-leverage moments.” Zierlein said he lacked “improvisational talent” but is mechanically sound and “intensely accurate.”

Key stat

6 – Number of interceptions thrown by Mendoza in 379 pass attempts last season.

Did you know?

Thirteen Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks were selected first overall in the NFL Draft (Angelo Bertelli, Terry Baker, Jim Plunkett, Vinny Testaverde, Carson Palmer, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams).

On draft

Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Mendoza among players at his position and prospects overall:

Draft expert — QB/Overall

Mel Kiper Jr. — first/first

Daniel Jeremiah — first/first

Todd McShay — first/fourth

Field Yates — first/first

Quotable

“I’m unemployed. I have no job. So, this is my job interview right now. Like everyone says, it’s the most important job interview of your life. … I’m just trying to do everything to hopefully get employed April 23.”

— Mendoza to reporters as the NFL Combine