Fernando Mendoza Has Message for Raiders Fans Days Before NFL Draft

It's all but a certainty that the first player to hear his name called Thursday night when the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock will be Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza enjoyed a remarkable season with the Hoosiers after transferring from California. He won the Heisman Trophy, led Indiana to its first national championship in program history, and captured the Big Ten title for the first time since 1967.

The Raiders have had their eyes on him since the end of the NFL regular season, and after securing the No. 1 overall pick, Mendoza addressed fans ahead of the first round in Pittsburgh.

"Blessed for the opportunity, and then the next thing I would say is … I don't know if I can say this on air, but it'd be LFG - let's go!"

More news: Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love Gets Concerning Projection for Draft

More news:Ohio State and Ryan Day Get Clear Message in Draft Prediction

Mendoza will be joining a Raiders quarterback room that also includes recently signed free agent Kirk Cousins, who is expected to begin the season as the starter. New head coach Klint Kubiak has emphasized that, in an ideal scenario, Mendoza would have a veteran quarterback to learn from before being thrown into action - something that has proven valuable for young passers in the past.

"Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1," Kubiak said days before the Raiders signed Cousins. "You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show."

Some have speculated that Alabama's Ty Simpson may have better tape and upside than Mendoza, including ESPN's Dan Orlovsky.

However, ever since the college football season began winding down, Mendoza has been widely projected as the first quarterback selected in the draft. Now, just days away from Thursday night, the Miami native is expected to head out West and have the opportunity to not only be mentored by Cousins, but also by minority owner Tom Brady.

More news:Devastating Tyreek Hill Update Given by Injury Expert After Dolphins Cut WR

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 12:28 PM.