Raiders select Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in NFL Draft

(WISH) — Former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mendoza helped lead IU to its first national championship in program history last season, doing so with an undefeated, 16-0 season.

Along the way, Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first IU player to win the award. Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and led the nation with 41 touchdown passes.

Mendoza also helped lead IU to its first Big Ten title since 1967 and its first ever Rose Bowl victory.

Mendoza had plenty of signature moments throughout the season, none bigger than an incredible rushing touchdown to give IU a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of the national championship game. He ran up the middle, sidestepping a defender, bouncing and spinning off another one, and dove into the end zone, arms outstretched, to break the plane.

Another moment came in a late-game comeback against Penn State. With IU down four points with under two minutes remaining in the game, Mendoza led the Hoosiers on a 10 play, 80 yard touchdown drive to take the lead and win the game. It was capped off by an incredible throw off his back foot to a leaping Omar Cooper Jr., who miraculously was able to get a foot in bounds in the back of the end zone.

Mendoza becomes the second IU player to be taken No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, joining Corby Davis, w...