US Edition
Indiana football QB Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to Las Vegas
Mendoza completed a 16-0 title run at Indiana and is set to earn $54 million over four years, the Raiders said.
- On Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh.
- Following a 3-14 finish last season, the Raiders fired head coach Pete Carroll and hired Klint Kubiak to lead a franchise rebuild centered on securing a long-term quarterback.
- Mendoza completed 72.0 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their first national championship with a perfect 16-0 record.
- The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to bridge the quarterback position, while minority owner Tom Brady will mentor Mendoza. "I'm ecstatic for the opportunity," Mendoza said of joining the franchise.
- Las Vegas has not won a playoff game in 24 years, making Mendoza the centerpiece of efforts to restore competitiveness to a franchise struggling with a quarterback drought.
147 Articles
147 Articles
How to get Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders jersey: QB goes to Vegas with #1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders made the clear-cut choice with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and pulled the trigger on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Immediately upon the pick being announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Fanatics launched a first chance to pre-order Mendoza’s Raiders jersey. The jersey will be updated and released upon confirmation of Mendoza’s official jersey number.
U.S. Field Marshal Fernando Mendoza, of Cuban descent, was selected yesterday in the first place of the NFL Draft by the Raiders of Las Vegas. The 22-year-old player was the undisputed favorite to number one after being the great sensation of the college campaign, in which he led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA title without a single defeat on the way. The charismatic quarterback was recognized on an individual scale with the Heisman Trophy to …
Hispanic quarterback Fernando Mendoza, of Cuban descent, was selected this Thursday in the first place of the NFL Draft by Las Vegas Raiders, a franchise of which Tom Brady is co-owner. Mendoza, 22, was the undisputed favorite to number one after being the great sensation of the university season, in which he led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA title without a single defeat on the way. The charismatic field marshal raised in Miami (Florida), of…
Tom Brady offers advice incoming NFL rookies, welcomes Fernando Mendoza after Raiders make him the top pick
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! For more than two dozen players, Thursday night marks the realization of their lifelong NFL dreams. By night’s end, 32 prospects will hear their names called from the NFL Draft stage in Pittsburgh. Seven-time Super Bowl winner and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady reflected on the special moment so many young men were experiencing, while also sharing a message with the league’s newest rookies.…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
