By every measure, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
But meeting with the media Friday in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, Mendoza offered perhaps the perfect answer regarding his draft position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mendoza\u2019s dream season, which included guiding the Hoosiers to their first national title in school history while securing the Heisman Trophy along the way, has put him at the top of the quarterback board leading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Given that this year\u2019s crop of collegiate passers is not as deep as in year\u2019s past, that has only helped solidify Mendoza\u2019s stock as QB1. And with the Raiders among many teams at the top of the board that need a quarterback, he should not have to wait long to hear his name called.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
However, he would be happy to hear it called at all, even if it comes at pick No. 199.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Friday in Indianapolis the quarterback said he would grateful to be selected, \u201cwhether it\u2019s the No. 1 pick or whether it\u2019s, you know, the 199th pick.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Of course, that reference to the \u201c199th pick\u201d comes for a reason. After all, that is where Tom Brady came off board during the 2000 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
You know, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and a minority owner of the Raiders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mendoza conceded that he has already met with the Raiders \u2014 during which Brady called in to offer a \u201cbrief hi\u201d to the Indiana quarterback \u2014 and said it was a \u201cfantastic\u201d meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cI was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders,\u201d Mendoza said Friday morning at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. \u201cIt was a fantastic interview. Coaching staff was in there. We went over some of my previous plays and did plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cI know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft. Excited for the opportunity and whatever team drafts me, I am going to give everything I got to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
And while Mendoza is fine wherever he lands, even if it is not with the Raiders, he admitted that the chance to be mentored by Brady would be ideal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cYeah, I mean, who hasn\u2019t admired Tom Brady? I mean, more Super Bowl rings than anybody … anybody!\u201d Mendoza said. \u201cSo, that opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time — by a wide margin — and to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, would \u2026 mean so much.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cEspecially to learn, and I\u2019m all about learning. So from Day 1, you know, I\u2019ve got to learn a lot. It\u2019s gonna be a long journey, and to potentially have a mentor like that, it would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n