Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Says He’d Be ‘Blessed And Honored’ To Play For Raiders

[ad_1] Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is now beginning to shift his mindset towards the NFL, which actually was his aim when he transferred to Indiana.

Mendoza and the Hoosiers simply occurred to have an ideal season collectively that ended with an inconceivable nationwide championship.

"It’s been a whirlwind," Mendoza mentioned Monday night time earlier than receiving the Davey O’Brien Award because the nation’s prime school quarterback. "I feel now it’s lastly settled in, and the mud has began to settle. The nationwide championship, after which growth, subsequent factor you already know you’re on a brand new chapter."

The most recent award ceremony for Mendoza, the switch from Cal who grew up just a few miles from Miami (Fla.)'s campus, got here precisely 4 weeks after Indiana gained its first nationwide championship 27-21 over the Hurricanes of their dwelling stadium. It was additionally per week earlier than the NFL mix, and simply over two months from the opening night time of the draft on April 23, when Mendoza very effectively may very well be the No. 1 general decide by the Las Vegas Raiders and their new coach.

"I would be blessed and honored to play for the Raiders, or I would be blessed to play for any workforce," he mentioned. "Any NFL workforce that drafts me, I would be ecstatic. I do know on the draft, I am going to most likely shed a tear or two simply because it is such a full-circle second for me. ... The aim of transferring to Indiana was to make the NFL. It wasn’t to be an amazing school participant. It was to attempt to grow to be being an NFL quarterback in the future."

[2026 NFL DRAFT: How Raiders HC Klint Kubiak Can Maximize Fernando Mendoza’s Potential]

Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns whereas finishing 273 of 379 passes (72%) with solely six interceptions. He had 4,712 yards passing and 30 touchdowns in 20 video games over two seasons at Cal, which gave him a late scholarship supply after he had been ready out of highschool to "put myself into pupil debt" to play soccer at Yale — since no athletic scholarships are supplied within the Ivy League — as a result of he cherished the sport a lot.

Now the 22-year-old QB is getting ready to maneuver on to the very best degree, realizing that school success will not robotically translate to the professionals.

"School is nice, however that half's behind me," he mentioned. "I really feel like I have been glad with my school profession. Nonetheless, now I am on to the NFL profession. It requires a brand new ability set. It is a grown man's league."

When Mendoza accepted the Heisman Trophy in December, his intention was to maintain the trophy in Bloomington without end, the place he felt it belonged.

It wasn’t till a few weeks later, when the Heisman Trophy was in a case on the Indiana campus, that he realized he additionally bought one in all his personal to maintain.

"Then I took it again dwelling, and so it’s in my lounge, which is nice," he mentioned. "Take into consideration that ornament."

He even took his trophy to St. Paul Catholic Heart in Bloomington, the place he repeatedly attended Mass, to share with the church leaders round Christmas. He additionally hopes to take the trophy to his highschool in Miami.

[COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Let's Debate: 6 Burning Questions for College Football in 2026]

The ceremony for the Davey O'Brien Award, named for the previous TCU quarterback and 1938 Heisman winner, is held only some miles from the TCU campus. That can be the place the quarterback who probably will substitute Mendoza was a starter the previous three seasons.

Josh Hoover threw for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns over 36 video games for the Horned Frogs earlier than leaving within the portal for Indiana even earlier than the nationwide championship sport.

Mendoza mentioned he hadn't had the chance to talk with Hoover, and mentioned any recommendation he would have for his successor can be given in particular person.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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