Fernando Mendoza receives a standing ovation
Fernando The NFL combine is buzzing in Mendozasince the projected #1 pick was in the building. The place should be really familiar to him, because he played football just an hour away from where the combine is. That’s not to say he doesn’t still get love in the city, and apparently, he does entered the steak and people went crazy for him.
“Obviously, the staff stopped, put down their plates, put down their jobs and their servers and gave him a standing ovation as he walked in like an Indiana legend,” Peter Schrager told NFL on ESPN.
“12 months ago I don’t know if we would have even thought that Fernando Mendoza he would be at the combine, let alone be the number one pick in the draft.”
— @PSchrags details Mendoza’s meteoric rise ☄ pic.twitter.com/APsDdV6UZO
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 27, 2026
This should come as no surprise as Mendoza helped lead Indiana to the national championship this year, defeating Miami 27-21.
Now, Mendoza has a chance to become the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, and there’s a really good chance he’ll be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.
“12 months ago I don’t know if we would have even thought that Fernando Mendoza would be at the combine, let alone be the number one pick in the draft,” Schrager said.
Mendoza had a formal meeting with the Raiders at the combine, and talked about the chance to interact with them.
“It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza said. “The coaching staff was there, we went over some of my previous games, got some plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting. I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft. I’m just excited for the opportunity, and whichever team drafts me, I’m going to give them everything.”
Given how the Raiders struggled on offense last season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them select Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, and they won’t regret it.
2026-02-27 22:16:00
