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mark schlabach
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendozawho won the Heisman Trophy and led the No. 1 Hoosiers to their first national championship last season, is forgoing his final college season and entering the NFL draft, he announced Friday on social media.
Mendoza is the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft las vegas raiders.
“Let’s get to work,” Mendoza wrote on his Instagram account. “I am excited to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!”
Raiders majority owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager Jon Spytek were on the Indiana sideline before the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 win against No. 10. miami Monday in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
oregon quarterback dante moore Was also considered a potential No. 1 pick, but he opted to return to the Ducks for another college season.
Mendoza spent two seasons period Before transferring to Indiana, where he completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 276 yards with seven scores.
In Monday night’s win against the Hurricanes, Mendoza threw for 186 yards and scored on a memorable 12-yard run, giving the Hoosiers a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
The Hoosiers became only the second team in history and the first in the modern era to finish 16–0. Yale In 1894.
If the Raiders select Mendoza first in the draft, which will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, he will become only the third player to win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship and the No. 1 pick in the draft in the same 12-month window.
joe burro was the number 1 choice cincinnati bengals After leading the 2020 draft LSU to a CFP national championship, and golden brown colorCam Newton was the top pick carolina panthers In the 2011 draft.
