Fernando Mendoza announced Friday he’s entering the 2026 NFL Draft after helping Indiana complete a perfect 16-0 season and capture the national championship.
The Hoosiers quarterback made the expected decision to go pro despite having another year of college eligibility remaining. Mendoza won both the national title and the Heisman Trophy this season.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza announced that he is declaring for the NFL draft. He is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/JsM0k6y9L7
— ESPN (@espn) January 23, 2026
Mendoza’s already the most important player in Indiana football history. Now he could make more history for the Hoosiers at the next level.
Indiana Players in NFL Draft History
Indiana doesn’t have many highly-drafted players. The program wasn’t known for developing NFL talent until recently.
Here are the highest-drafted Indiana players in NFL Draft history:
| Year | Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 1938 | Round 1, Pick 1 | Corby Davis | FB | Cleveland Rams |
| 1966 | Round 1, Pick 4 | Randy Beisler | G | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1944 | Round 1, Pick 6 | Billy Hillenbrand | HB | New York Giants |
| 1974 | Round 1, Pick 6 | Carl Barzilauskas | DT | New York Jets |
| 1964 | Round 1, Pick 8 | Marv Woodson | DB | Baltimore Colts |
| 1985 | Round 1, Pick 9 | Kevin Allen | T | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1988 | Round 1, Pick 10 | Eric Moore | G | New York Giants |
| 1965 | Round 1, Pick 11 | Tom Nowatzke | FB | Detroit Lions |
| 1992 | Round 1, Pick 21 | Vaughn Dunbar | RB | New Orleans Saints |
| 1994 | Round 1, Pick 24 | Thomas Lewis | WR | New York Giants |
| 1968 | Round 1, Pick 27 | Doug Crusan | T | Miami Dolphins |
Mendoza’s Draft Projection
Mendoza is widely expected to go first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Mendoza may not be considered the best overall prospect in the draft, he’s the best quarterback. That means he’ll rise to the top of the entire draft.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza announced that he is declaring for the NFL Draft, where he is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/Y9HA0mynIw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 23, 2026
Last Indiana Player Drafted in First Round
Indiana hasn’t had a first-round pick since 1994. That’s when the New York Giants selected wide receiver Thomas Lewis with the 24th overall pick.
Lewis played three seasons at Indiana. He totaled 2,147 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 33 games.
In the NFL, Lewis lasted four seasons with the Giants. He finished with 74 catches for 1,032 yards and five touchdowns.
Mendoza’s Age and Background
Mendoza is 22 years old. He spent the past four years in college at both Cal and Indiana.
Mendoza first redshirted for the Golden Bears. He later played in 20 games for Cal before transferring to Bloomington for his final season.
