Trending Now - Fernando Mendoza Embraces Team Spirit at Rookie Minicamp
WHO:
raiders.com - Mendoza is described as having a "quirky and endearing sense of humor" by his teammates.
raiders.com - Trey Zuhn III stated, "He's just a guy's guy, honestly," highlighting Mendoza's ability to connect with teammates.
raiders.com - Treydan Stukes remarked, "It has been so much fun sitting next to him," expressing excitement about being Mendoza's teammate.
raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza, a rookie quarterback for the Raiders, won a Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a 16-0 national championship season.
raiders.com - Trey Zuhn III, offensive lineman and the Raiders' second third-round pick, commented on Mendoza's character.
raiders.com - Treydan Stukes, safety and the Raiders' second-round draft pick, shared his thoughts on Mendoza.
raiders.com - Keyron Crawford, defensive end and the Raiders' first pick in the third round, expressed his admiration for Mendoza.
WHAT:
raiders.com - Mendoza stated, "I feel really good coming out of this rookie minicamp with … Day 1 and Day 2 of the system," indicating his progress.
raiders.com - Mendoza emphasized the importance of "repetition under center, getting those quicker feet," as part of his learning process.
raiders.com - Mendoza is adjusting to taking snaps from under center, having taken only 3% of his snaps under center in college.
raiders.com - Mendoza gathered his offensive line teammates in a hotel room to practice taking snaps under center.
raiders.com - Mendoza stated, "There's a lot to learn - I'm a rookie - and I've learned a lot in these past two days."
raiders.com - Mendoza expressed that he feels good coming out of rookie minicamp and emphasized the importance of repetition under center.
WHERE:
raiders.com - The rookie minicamp took place at the Intermountain Health Performance Center.
WHEN:
raiders.com - The rookie minicamp is ongoing, with Mendoza participating in Day 2.
WHY:
raiders.com - Mendoza mentioned that being "positively stressed by getting a lot of information" allows for growth among rookies.
raiders.com - Mendoza aims to improve his skills and adapt to the NFL's playing style, particularly in taking snaps under center.
HOW:
raiders.com - Mendoza gathered his offensive line teammates in a hotel room to practice taking snaps under center, indicating a proactive approach to his training.
raiders.com - Mendoza is using practice sessions and walkthroughs to enhance his understanding and execution of the offensive system.
(UPDATED May 3, 2026 04:13 UTC)
Mendoza has been making a positive impression on his teammates, who describe him as having a "quirky and endearing sense of humor" and a strong ability to connect with others. He expressed confidence in his progress coming out of rookie minicamp, emphasizing the importance of repetition and quick footwork in his training. Taking initiative, Mendoza even gathered his offensive line teammates in a hotel room to practice taking snaps under center, showcasing his commitment to improving his skills.
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(UPDATED May 3, 2026 01:26 UTC)
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won a Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to an impressive 16-0 national championship season, is currently participating in Day 2 of the rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mendoza is adjusting to taking snaps from under center, a skill he only practiced three percent of the time in college, and has gathered his offensive line teammates in a hotel room to practice this crucial technique. Feeling optimistic about his progress, Mendoza stated, "There's a lot to learn - I'm a rookie - and I've learned a lot in these past two days," emphasizing the importance of repetition to adapt to the NFL's playing style.