Fernando Mendoza needs to update his LinkedIn profile.
The Indiana quarterback declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday morning, days after leading the Hoosiers to the national championship.
Fernando Mendoza enters the NFL draft after leading Indiana to the national championship. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mendoza seems destined to be the No. 1 pick by the Raiders in the draft after throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns in his one season in Bloomington, earning a Heisman Trophy in the process.
Raiders owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady were among those in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday when Mendoza led Indiana to a 27-21 win over Miami to claim the College Football Playoff title in a 16-0 season.
“Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!” Mendoza wrote on an Instagram Reel with highlights from the Hoosiers’ season.
Mendoza, a 22-year-old junior, played two years at Cal before transferring to Indiana.
With Mendoza likely headed to Las Vegas to be the face of the franchise, attention will certainly turn to who his running mate will be as his head coach.
Given the attractiveness of the Raiders’ job, it is a bit surprising that it is still open, though they may be waiting for a star coordinator to become available from a team still in contention.
Prediction market Kalshi certainly thinks so, putting Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as the clear favorite to be the next Raiders head coach.
Raiders owner Mark Davis at the national title game. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Should that pairing of Mendoza and Kubiak indeed come together, they should be a force in short order, as Las Vegas is loaded with offensive talent.
Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers each were acquired with premium draft choices, though the Raiders will need to develop their offensive line, which graded out as the worst in the NFL this year, according to Pro Football Focus.