Fernando Mendoza fulfilled expectations by being selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, and celebrated from home in South Florida.
“Now I step into a great game, in the NFL, and I look forward to proving it every single day,” Mendoza told ESPN.
Mendoza chose not to attend the draft in person in Pittsburgh, instead remaining in Coral Gables to “share the draft experience” with his family and friends.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. He didnÕt not attend the draft, but watched at home in Miami.1 / 2Fernando Mendoza, friends, family celebrate top NFL draft momentIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.1 / 2Fernando Mendoza, friends, family celebrate top NFL draft momentIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.2 / 2Fernando Mendoza, friends, family celebrate top NFL draft momentIndiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number one pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. He didnÕt not attend the draft, but watched at home in Miami.Who is Fernando Mendoza?Mendoza, formerly the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, is now the fourth quarterback since 2010 to win the national title, Heisman and be drafted first overall. He joins Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Joe Burrow, and was Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner.
Though Mendoza was born in Boston, he spent the lion's share of his childhood in Miami, attending Christopher Columbus High School.
On April 23, the Mendoza Family Fund, launched in partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, was announced – and Mendoza committed $500,000 to fund multiple sclerosis research at the University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine, according to a press release.
"This fund is about my mom and the millions of people living with MS," Mendoza said in the release. "My mom has taught our family strength, resilience, and positivity. My brothers Alberto and Max, my dad, and I – we've all learned from her example. She's the reason we fight, and the reason we believe we can do something bigger than ourselves."
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raiders pick Fernando Mendoza first overall in NFL Draft. What to know