Trending Now - Raiders' Top Draft Pick Fernando Mendoza Faces High Expectations

WHO:

Pro Football Network - Mendoza's grandparents left Cuba in 1959, making him the first Cuban-American ever selected first overall in the NFL Draft.

raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, marking the first time in nearly 20 years that the team selected a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick.

Pro Football Network - Fernando Mendoza is the first Cuban-American ever selected first overall in the NFL Draft.

raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza, quarterback from the University of Indiana.

raiders.com - The Las Vegas Raiders, NFL team.

Daily Mail Sports - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Fox News - Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback.

WHAT:

Fox News - Mendoza stated, "I'm just looking forward to get to work, improve at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career," in his first interview after being selected.

raiders.com - Mendoza is one of only four quarterbacks since 1967 to win the Heisman Trophy, a national title, and be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, joining Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston, and Cam Newton.

raiders.com - Mendoza's Heisman Trophy acceptance speech included the quote, "This moment, it's an honor, it's bigger than me. It's a product of a family, team, community and a whole lot of people who believed in me long before anybody knew my name."

raiders.com - Mendoza is the fifth Heisman Trophy winner to be drafted by the Raiders, joining Marcus Allen (1982), Bo Jackson (1987), Tim Brown (1988), and Charles Woodson (1998).

raiders.com - Mendoza's Heisman campaign included the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, AP College Football Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, and Big Ten Most Valuable Player.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed 66.5% of his passes for 4,712 passing yards and 30 touchdowns during his time at California.

Drudge Report - Mendoza is expected to sign a contract worth $55 million, making it the richest rookie contract in NFL history.

Fox News - Mendoza stated, "The last five months have been such a blessing by God, I can't thank him enough," in his first interview after being selected.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed an 8:0 touchdown-interception ratio during the college football playoffs.

raiders.com - The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

raiders.com - Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns during the 2025 season.

raiders.com - Mendoza became the first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana's history.

Sportskeeda - Mendoza is the Raiders' first No. 1 overall pick since JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

Fox News - Mendoza's family held a draft party in Coral Gables, Florida, featuring a roast pig.

WHERE:

Fox News - Mendoza's family held a draft party in Coral Gables, Florida, where the block around their home was roped off and featured a roast pig, known as lechon asado.

raiders.com - The NFL Draft took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

raiders.com - Mendoza's family is from Coral Gables, Florida.

raiders.com - Mendoza played college football at the University of Indiana and previously at the University of California.

WHEN:

Daily Mail Sports - Mendoza's name was read first by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 23rd, 2026, in front of thousands of fans in Pittsburgh.

Daily Mail Sports - Mendoza's name was read first by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 23rd, 2026, during the NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Daily Mail Sports - Mendoza's name was read first by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 23rd, 2026, in front of thousands of fans in Pittsburgh.

raiders.com - The 2026 NFL Draft occurred from April 23rd to April 25th, 2026.

Daily Mail Sports - Mendoza's name was read first by Roger Goodell on April 23rd, 2026.

raiders.com - Mendoza's Heisman Trophy acceptance speech took place in December 2025.

WHY:

Pro Football Network - Mendoza chose to skip the draft festivities to remain in Miami with his family, particularly his mother, Elsa, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

raiders.com - Mendoza's selection is part of the Raiders' effort to return to glory after a history of quarterback struggles.

HOW:

Pro Football Network - Mendoza has become an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, partnering with several local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, to raise money and awareness for the organization.

raiders.com - Mendoza has launched the Mendoza Family Fund, which directly supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

raiders.com - Mendoza has become an advocate for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, partnering with local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, to raise money and awareness for the organization.

raiders.com - Mendoza's college career included a transfer from California to Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to a national championship and an undefeated season.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 21:12 UTC)

In a historic moment for the NFL, Mendoza made headlines on Thursday, when he was selected first overall in the draft, becoming the first Cuban-American to achieve this milestone. In his first interview after the selection, Mendoza expressed his excitement about the future, saying, "I'm just looking forward to get to work, improve at the next level," while also taking time to be with his family in Miami, especially his mother, who is battling multiple sclerosis. Committed to making a difference, Mendoza has partnered with local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, to raise funds and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 15:18 UTC)

In a historic move, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, marking the first time in nearly 20 years the team has chosen a quarterback in that position. Mendoza, who celebrated with his family at a draft party in Coral Gables, Florida, is one of only four quarterbacks since 1967 to win the Heisman Trophy, a national title, and be selected first overall, joining the ranks of Joe Burrow, Jameis Winston, and Cam Newton. He chose to skip the draft festivities to be with his mother, Elsa, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and has since launched the Mendoza Family Fund to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 13:19 UTC)

Mendoza has made history by becoming the fifth Heisman Trophy winner drafted by the Raiders, joining the ranks of legends like Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson. During his impressive college career at California, he completed 66.5% of his passes for 4,712 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning numerous accolades including the Walter Camp Award and the Maxwell Award. As he prepares to sign a contract worth $55 million, this deal is set to become the richest rookie contract in NFL history.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 04:06 UTC)

In a historic moment for the NFL, Fernando Mendoza has become the first Cuban-American ever selected first overall in the draft, with his name announced by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday, in front of thousands of fans in Pittsburgh. In his first interview after this monumental achievement, Mendoza expressed his gratitude, saying, "The last five months have been such a blessing by God, I can't thank him enough," while also highlighting his impressive performance with an eight to zero touchdown-interception ratio during the college football playoffs. Choosing to skip the draft festivities, Mendoza remained in Miami with his family, particularly his mother, Elsa, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and he is now advocating for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by partnering with local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, to raise money and awareness for the cause.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 01:22 UTC)

The Las Vegas Raiders made headlines by selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mendoza, who became the first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana's history, had an impressive college season, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. His family celebrated the moment with a draft party in Coral Gables, Florida, featuring a roast pig, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his name on Thursday. This marks the Raiders' first No. 1 overall pick since JaMarcus Russell in 2007, as the team aims to overcome a history of quarterback struggles. Prior to his success at Indiana, Mendoza transferred from the University of California, leading the Hoosiers to a national championship and an undefeated season.