Indiana Hoosiers national champion quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in a video shared on his social media accounts Friday (January 23).
Mendoza, 22, has long been projected to be the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, leading Indiana to its first national title during an undefeated season completed with a 27-21 win against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium Monday (January 19) night days before officially declaring.
“Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith, a leap that led me to go 16-0 with my boys and a national championship,” Mendoza said in the video. “And has now led me here, the moment where I get to dream bigger. Thank you to my family, the teammates that pushed me, the coaches that took a chance on me, it’s only with your support and the glory of God that I’m here today. With trust in my foundation and gratitude for every person that has helped me reach this moment. I’m ready to take the next step. My LinkedIn has is now ‘open to work’ and I’m officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”
Mendoza announced his decision to transfer from the University of California to Indiana in December 2024 and went on to have one of the most decorated seasons in college football history during his lone year in Bloomington. The redshirt junior threw for 3,535 yards, an NCAA-best 41 touchdowns and six interceptions on 273 of 379 passing in 2025, winning the national title and a slew of individual awards including the Heisman Trophy, College Football Playoff MVP, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Associated Press College Football Player of the Year and Big Ten Most Valuable Player and being selected as a consensus All-American in 2025.
The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with majority owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady having attended the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Monday night amid Mendoza being projected as the top prospect.
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