When the Indiana Hoosiers make their White House visit later this month, newly drafted Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza might be noticeably absent—and he has a pretty solid excuse.
The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was asked Saturday whether he planned to join his College Football Playoff-winning teammates for the May 11 meeting with President Donald Trump. Mendoza’s answer revealed a rookie quarterback already locked into the professional mindset.
“I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs,” Mendoza said during a press conference, before briefly double-checking the dates. “If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself. I can’t miss practice.”
Here’s where it gets interesting: according to the Raiders’ official schedule, organized team activities actually don’t kick off until Monday, May 18—a full week after the White House visit. Rookie minicamp, however, started Friday and runs through Sunday. That scheduling nuance means Mendoza could technically make the trip without missing any mandatory Raiders work.
But the rookie signal-caller isn’t taking any chances. “I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look,” he explained. “I want to try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t know if that would be accomplishing that goal.”
It’s a savvy approach from a player who, despite being the most coveted prospect in the draft, isn’t guaranteed the starting job in Week 1. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins after his release from the Atlanta Falcons, bringing in a proven bridge starter while new head coach Klint Kubiak develops Mendoza at the right pace.
“When we’re watching the film, we see Kirk Cousins operate at a very high level,” Mendoza said. “I think it’s going to be very beneficial hearing him talk, observe, and just being around him.”
For a rookie who’s already thinking like a professional—prioritizing practice reps over a White House photo op—that’s exactly the kind of attitude that wins over coaches, teammates, and fans. Whether he ends up in Washington or Las Vegas that week, Mendoza is making it clear: his focus is firmly on the field.