Fernando Mendoza has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in football, and with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick for the Las Vegas Raiders.
During Super Bowl Week in Santa Clara, the Indiana star stopped by Radio Row and offered insight into the philosophy that transformed him from an overlooked recruit into a national champion.
Fernando Mendoza gets honest about what would it mean to play in Las Vegas
At the center of that journey is his lifelong admiration for Tom Brady. On Thursday, the quarterback reflected on how studying Brady shaped his approach long before the accolades arrived.
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“As a child I was always a huge Tom Brady fan,” Mendoza said. “Like Tom I’m not the biggest I’m not the fastest, I’m not the strongest. But the edge is in the intellect and preparation.”
That belief system became the foundation of Mendoza‘s meteoric rise, particularly during a historic 2025 season with the IndianaHoosiers.
After transferring from California, Mendoza immediately elevated the program into uncharted territory. Indiana finished 16-0, captured its first Big Ten title since 1967, and secured the school’s first national championship.
Statistically, the season was dominant. Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while adding 276 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.
Preparation over flash defines Mendoza’s rise
Game after game, Mendoza displayed an uncommon calm, even against elite competition. His late touchdown against Penn State became one of the defining moments of Indiana‘s championship run.
Rather than relying on improvisation, Mendoza consistently trusted his film study and pre-snap recognition, a trait long associated with Brady during his legendary runs with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady, now a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, built his career by mastering details others overlooked. Now, Mendoza has followed a similar path.
Though born in Boston and raised in Miami, he grew up watching the Patriots‘ dynasty years, absorbing lessons about accountability and execution. His physical development came later, but his mental approach was evident early.
At both California and Indiana, teammates have noted that Mendoza routinely spent extra hours studying film and demanded precision from everyone in the huddle.
That leadership style helped turn Indiana into a disciplined, efficient offense capable of sustaining drives and controlling games.
Following his idol to Las Vegas
While Mendoza now possesses the size and arm strength scouts look for, evaluators believe his greatest asset is his processing speed and command of complex offensive concepts.
The potential landing spot most often connected to Mendoza is the Las Vegas Raiders. The franchise finished 3-14 last season, leaned on veteran Geno Smith at quarterback, and is undergoing a reset after parting ways with head coach Pete Carroll following Week 18.
With Smith not expected to return and Klint Kubiak leading the rebuild, league speculation continues to point toward the Raiders using the top pick on Mendoza.
If that projection becomes reality, Mendoza would be stepping into an organization where his childhood role model, Brady, already holds major influence.
More importantly, he would arrive armed with the same guiding principle that fueled his rise at Indiana: meticulous preparation and confidence in relentless work away from the gridiron.
