Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to the US college football crown, was taken first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to the US college football crown, was taken first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders

 Justin Casterline

The Las Vegas Raiders took quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one pick in the NFL draft on Thursday, hoping the Heisman Trophy winner can help revive a franchise that has missed the playoffs for the past four seasons.

Cuban-American Mendoza was widely expected to go first overall after leading Indiana to the United States college football crown and bagging the Heisman as college football's top player.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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