Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout junior season, he announced Friday. Mendoza, ranked No. 1 in the CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospect Rankings, is widely projected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.

In an essay she penned for the Players Tribune in December, titled "Dear Fernando," Fernando Mendoza's mother Elsa Mendoza shared that she became pregnant with him at age 25, after moving from Miami to Boston following graduate school.

Fernando Mendoza just continues to endear himself to the Bloomington community. After delivering Indiana University its first-ever Heisman Trophy and following that up with the program's first national championship,

Fernando Mendoza ended his college football career with a Heisman Trophy and a national championship for the Indiana Hoosiers. While he’s now focused on the next level as the likely No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, he’s going viral for liking a bikini post of a NFL quarterback’s ex-girlfriend.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first national title and won the Heisman Trophy.

Mendoza announced his 2026 NFL Draft decision on Jan. 23

Fernando Mendoza’s draft future creates debate as Raiders fans react to trade rumors involving Lamar Jackson and the No. 1 pick in the Draft.

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti and the rest of the Hoosiers were present to celebrate along thousands of fans who showed up en masse despite wind chills that hovered around four degrees.

Future NFL Draft talent Fernando Mendoza has been on a heater recently both on and off the college football field. After winning Indiana’s first-ever College Football Playoff national championship this week,

Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza appears to know more about the Las Vegas Raiders head-coaching search.