Fernando Mendoza makes final NFL decision as Draft looms for projected No 1 overall pick
Fernando Mendoza has officially declared for the NFL Draft, where is expected to be selected with the No 1 overall pick after winning the national championship.
The Indiana quarterback announced his decision with a video posted to LinkedIn (of course!), alongside the caption: ‘Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.’
The decision is likely to set him up for a move to Las Vegas, which currently holds the No 1 pick barring any late decision to trade down. The New York Jets are at No 2 and the Arizona Cardinals at No 3, with all three teams desperate for a QB.
Mendoza’s post began with a highlight reel, including his now-famous interview after winning the Big 10 title, in which he exclaimed: ‘Now the Hoosiers are the flippin’ champs.’
He goes on to say: ‘Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith… a leap that led me to going 16-0 with my boys and a national championship, and has now led me here: the moment where I get to dream bigger.’
Mendoza then thanks his family, teammates, coaches and God, before leaning into his buttoned-up persona with a joke about his social media usage.
National champion and Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is heading to the NFL Draft
Mendoza announced his intentions to declare for the draft in a video on his LinkedIn profile
‘My LinkedIn status is now “Open to Work” and I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft,’ he ends the video by saying.
Earlier in the year, the 22-year-old had revealed that the only social media site he looks at throughout the season is LinkedIn, refusing to get drawn into the mind-numbing scrolling and instead focusing on watching tape and preparing for games.
He regularly posts on the site, where his bio reads: ‘Process-driven and detail-oriented leader studying Business Administration at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business after graduating from UC Berkeley in three years.’
He has even changed his profile picture to include the ‘#OpenToWork’ tag that regular LinkedIn users apply when looking for a new job opening.
His national championship-winning season appears likely to land him the No 1 overall draft pick, which would currently see him head to Las Vegas, who are still on the hunt for a new head coach after firing Pete Carroll.
Mendoza lifts the trophy after helping Indiana to beat Miami and win the national championship
Tom Brady was in the building at Hard Rock to watch his potential No 1 pick play for Indiana
The team, in part owned by Tom Brady, has been linked with Sean McDermott in the days after his firing by the Buffalo Bills.
Other candidates include Klint Kubiak, Mike LaFleur and Davis Webb – all of whom would be offensive hires with a view to helping Mendoza settle into the NFL.
During his 16-0 season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza also won the Heisman Trophy on the way to cementing his place as the projected No 1 overall pick.
Brady – as well as President Donald Trump – were in the building to watch Indiana’s win over Miami in the national championship on Monday night.
And in the aftermath of the celebrations, Mendoza unleashed another viral and spirited postgame interview – the last of his college career.
Donald Trump and daughter Ivanka also watched Mendoza and the Hoosiers win in Miami
Mendoza is very family-orientated and raises money for the National MS Society, as his mom continues to battle multiple sclerosis
‘That’s one thing about our team,’ Mendoza told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. ‘We’re always going to put it all on the line. I want to give all the glory and thanks to God.
‘My offensive linemen blocked perfectly and we were able to execute as a team toward a common goal. Have the Indiana Hoosier synergy to score and to give our team a chance to win the game.
‘I had to go airborne. I’d die for my team. Whatever they need me to do. They need me to take shots in the front or the back, whatever it is, I’m gonna die for my team out there and I know they’re going to do the same for me.
‘That’s what makes us so close. That’s what makes the national championship so special.’
