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Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, KC Concepcion headline long list of Latino prospects in NFL draft

With the NFL draft approaching Thursday, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is projected as the No. 1 overall pick. The Indiana quarterback led the nation with 41 TD passes en route to a national championship.
Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia made history as Heisman Trophy finalists in December, with Mendoza joining Jim Plunkett and Bryce Young as the third Latino to win the award. Mendoza embraces his Cuban heritage through his family's 1959 flight from Cuba.
Other prospects with family ties to Mexico include Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, a 5-foot-11 1/2, 196-pound receiver who emerged as a top playmaker in 2025. Scouts also evaluate Arkansas Carmona and Aggies linebacker York, a 5-11, 186-pound safety-linebacker hybrid.
A court ruling forced Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar into the draft after denying his preliminary injunction. Despite throwing for 24 touchdowns with the Volunteers, Aguilar had intended to return to school for another season.
Teams continue to evaluate polarizing prospects like Diego Pavia, who stands 5-foot-10, and Kansas Cruz, who has the size and versatility teams covet at 6-5 1/2, 313 pounds. Both await their professional futures as the draft concludes this week.

Insights by Ground AI