Ex-NFL star calls Fernando Mendoza 'the most complete player' of the 2026 draft

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 prime successful Thursday night’s NFL Draft.

Mendoza led the Indiana HoosiersIndiana Hoosiers to a nationalist title and helium won the Heisman Trophy for the twelvemonth helium produced with the team.

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Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza warms up earlier the CFP National Championship crippled against the Miami Hurricanes astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

The 22-year-old was the projected No. 1 prime successful galore mock drafts arsenic soon arsenic Indiana finished disconnected the Miami Hurricanes successful the nationalist championship. He impressed scouts with his workouts and was, by far, the apical quarterback.

Former NFL prima Shawne Merriman told Fox News Digital what made Mendoza the apical feline beyond what draught reports person said.

"He’s the astir implicit player," the erstwhile San Diego Chargers linebacker said. "I deliberation he’s the astir NFL acceptable of guys you tin conscionable propulsion connected the tract and person them spell retired determination and play close away. Nothing (against) the different guys. The backmost astatine Alabama (Ty Simpson), there’s immoderate truly bully quarterbacks successful this draft. But that No. 1 prime is special.

Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza throws the ceremonial archetypal transportation earlier a crippled betwixt the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals astatine loanDepot Park successful Miami, Florida, connected Apr. 21, 2026. (Rhona Wise/Imagn Images)

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"That No. 1 prime is peculiar due to the fact that that No. 1 prime solidifies you arsenic the precise champion subordinate successful this draught and who a franchise is going to trust on, who they’re going to physique their full adjacent 5-10 years around. That No. 1 prime says a batch astir who you are and what you tin bash for a franchise."

Mendoza volition beryllium tasked with returning the Raiders backmost to glory. The squad besides brought successful Kirk Cousins to assistance mentor the Florida autochthonal arsenic helium begins his NFL journey.

Indiana Hoosiers backmost Fernando Mendoza celebrates aft defeating the Miami Hurricanes successful the College Football Playoff National Championship crippled astatine Hard Rock Stadium successful Miami Gardens, Fla., connected Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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Mendoza lone played 1 twelvemonth astatine Indiana.

He had 41 touchdown passes and 3,535 passing yards. Indiana finished the twelvemonth 16-0.