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 an Instagram video, alongside the caption: ‘Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft’.
The move is likely to set him up for a move to Las Vegas, who currently holds the No 1 pick barring any late decision to trade away the selection. 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 Instagram clip began with a highlight reel, including his now-famous interview after winning the Big 10, 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.
‘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 in to the mind-numbing scrolling and instead focusing on watching tape and preparing for games.
He regularly posts on the site, on which 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.’
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.
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.
