HENDERSON, Nevada — Heisman Trophy recipient Fernando Mendoza expressed his eagerness Friday to demonstrate that he deserved to be chosen as the first overall selection in this year’s NFL draft.
The former Indiana quarterback had been laying the groundwork to make a positive impact well before his arrival in Nevada for his official introduction as a Las Vegas Raider.
Mendoza collaborated with former NFL quarterback Brian Griese — both are graduates of the same Miami high school — to understand how he might function within a West Coast offensive scheme, providing him an advantage in preparing for the similar system that new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak plans to implement.
“I needed some guidance on how to become the best NFL quarterback,” Mendoza explained. “Not just for a pro day or the combine, for September, October, December. With that, we went over some general under-center concepts and installed basic bread-and-butter concepts that any team would have.”
This commitment and intellectual approach to football, combined with Mendoza’s physical capabilities, convinced Raiders leadership that he represents the signal-caller the organization has been seeking as they attempt to return to their former status as consistent playoff contenders.
Raiders General Manager John Spytek was impressed by Mendoza’s capacity to remember specific plays from throughout his Indiana season. During film sessions, Spytek found that before he could even start the video, Mendoza would identify the play and provide detailed explanations. The quarterback also candidly discussed unsuccessful plays and alternative approaches he could have taken.
“There was an honesty and a self-awareness to it,” Spytek noted. “I’ve been a part of a few other quarterback interviews like that before, but not very many.”
Considerable attention has focused on how swiftly Mendoza can adjust from Indiana’s college system, where he operated primarily from shotgun formation, to a professional offense requiring him to take snaps from under center most of the time.
“His skill-set fits with any offense in professional football,” Kubiak stated. “The No. 1 thing that I love about Fernando is his leadership, the way that he relates to his teammates and his ability to win. We’re looking for a competitor to be our quarterback, and he went 16-0 last year with a heck of a team, and he led that group.”
In Las Vegas, Mendoza’s primary objectives will include studying under veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom the Raiders acquired earlier this month, while working to meet the expectations that come with being drafted first overall. Although Kubiak and Spytek have indicated they prefer not to immediately start a rookie quarterback, they’ve also stated that the most qualified player will earn the position.
Mendoza has also announced another significant initiative. He is establishing the Mendoza Family Fund with a personal contribution of $500,000 to support research for a multiple sclerosis cure. His mother, Elsa, relies on a wheelchair due to MS but traveled across the country with her family to Nevada for her son’s inaugural day with the Raiders.
“I believe one of my pillars and my identities is giving back and helping fight MS, giving to the community,” Mendoza said. “So that was a huge part of my identity, and it’s something that our family really wanted to do.”
He acknowledged his mother’s role in revitalizing his football aspirations.
Mendoza received little attention as a high school prospect and spent three seasons at California, taking a redshirt year in 2022 before starting for most of the subsequent two campaigns. After completing his bachelor’s degree in slightly over three years, he transferred to Indiana and delivered his breakthrough performance while guiding the Hoosiers to a national championship.
“My mom always saw more in me than I saw myself at that time, and she essentially pushed me to take a swing at trying to become a great NFL player,” Mendoza reflected. “That first step was transferring and challenging myself by being in an uncomfortable environment. When you’re uncomfortable, you’re able to grow.
“She said, ‘Hey, if you step to the plate, if you swing and you miss, at least in 20 years you knew you did everything possible to try to accomplish your dream.’ And I stepped to the plate, and luckily enough, I was able to hit a home run last year.”
The Raiders are optimistic that many more successful plays lie ahead.
Kubiak praised watching Mendoza during his Indiana pro day on April 1, where he observed the quarterback directing receivers on their routes before delivering accurate throws.
“Then took him upstairs and talked football with him and just listened to him communicate the game and how quickly he picked things up,” Kubiak said. “We already liked how he played the game on film, but seeing him in person was really helpful, and it allowed us to watch film on a lot of other guys. We knew we had the guy.”
