BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is officially available.
Mendoza formally declared for the NFL draft on Friday and could head to the Raiders with the first overall pick in April. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and its first college football national championship with a 27-21 victory against Miami on Monday night.
“Let’s get to work. I am honored to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft,” Mendoza, the grandson of Cuban immigrants, wrote on social media that included a highlight video.
Mendoza completed 72% of his passes this season for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for seven touchdowns. He played his best football in the College Football Playoff, with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. He ran for a touchdown against the Hurricanes, turning a fourth-and-four play into a 12-yard run that proved to be a pivotal moment in the game. This extended Indiana’s lead to 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
Mendoza’s decision to turn professional was widely considered a mere formality. The Hoosiers seemingly hinted at their NFL intentions when they signed TCU quarterback Josh Hoover during the open transfer window.
Mendoza is considered the undisputed best quarterback in the draft after Oregon’s Dante Moore announced he would return to school for the 2026 season. And the Raiders desperately need better performance at the quarterback position.
The Las Vegas team went 3-14 in 2025 and secured the first overall pick with a loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. And the franchise will have a new coach after firing veteran Pete Carroll after one season in charge.
___
Receive poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season long. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP College Football: and
