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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.
But meeting with the media Friday in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, Mendoza offered perhaps the perfect answer regarding his draft position.
Mendoza’s 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’s crop of collegiate passers is not as deep as in year’s past, that has only helped solidify Mendoza’s 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.
However, he would be happy to hear it called at all, even if it comes at pick No. 199.
Friday in Indianapolis the quarterback said he would grateful to be selected, “whether it’s the No. 1 pick or whether it’s, you know, the 199th pick.”
Of course, that reference to the “199th pick” comes for a reason. After all, that is where Tom Brady came off board during the 2000 NFL Draft.
You know, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and a minority owner of the Raiders.
Mendoza conceded that he has already met with the Raiders — during which Brady called in to offer a “brief hi” to the Indiana quarterback — and said it was a “fantastic” meeting.
“I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders,” Mendoza said Friday morning at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. “It 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.
“I 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.”
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.
“Yeah, I mean, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady? I mean, more Super Bowl rings than anybody … anybody!” Mendoza said. “So, 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 … mean so much.
“Especially to learn, and I’m all about learning. So from Day 1, you know, I’ve got to learn a lot. It’s gonna be a long journey, and to potentially have a mentor like that, it would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.”