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Raiders Select Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 Overall Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
PITTSBURGH — The Las Vegas Raiders didn't just find a new quarterback on Thursday night; they may have found the new face of the franchise. With the eyes of the football world on Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Indiana University standout Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza, 22, watched the life-changing moment from his home in Coral Gables, Florida. Surrounded by family and friends, the 6-foot-5 signal-caller became visibly emotional as the Silver and Black officially ended months of speculation by making him the 26th Heisman Trophy winner to be selected first overall.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to work and proving myself at the next level,” Mendoza told ESPN shortly after his name was called. “College was fantastic. I am so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game, the NFL. I’m looking forward to earning it every single day.”
Mendoza’s rise to the top of the draft board followed what many analysts consider the greatest single season for a quarterback in college football history. In 2025, he transformed the Indiana Hoosiers into a juggernaut, leading the program to its first-ever national championship with a flawless 16-0 record. Along the way, he secured Indiana’s first Big Ten title since 1967 and swept nearly every major accolade, including the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Davey O’Brien Award.
His statistical dominance was undeniable. Including the College Football Playoff, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and a staggering 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions. His season culminated in a 27-21 victory over Miami in the national title game, where he was named the Offensive Player of the Game after scoring the decisive touchdown on a gutsy 12-yard run.
In Las Vegas, Mendoza enters an organization with a storied legacy and a desperate need for long-term stability at the quarterback position. While the Raiders recently brought in veteran Kirk Cousins to provide leadership, the expectation is that Mendoza will spend time learning the ropes from the seasoned pro before taking the reins of the offense.
“It’s a great organization with a great legacy,” Mendoza added. “I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.”
As the first round continues in Pittsburgh, the Raiders have signaled they are officially in "win-now" mode, building around a young star who has already proven he can handle the brightest of spotlights.
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By: CNN Newsource
April 23, 2026
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