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- NFL. Klint Kubiak receives strong warning about Fernando Mendoza; Las Vegas Raiders in suspense
Fernando Mendoza, the standout quarterback from the Indiana Hoosiers and widely projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is taking an unconventional approach to the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.
Rather than participating in the traditional throwing drills that draw so much attention each offseason, Mendoza has made it clear his focus lies elsewhere, and his reasoning reveals a blend of team-first thinking and draft-day savvy.
Mendoza, who led Indiana to an undefeated 16-0 season and the NCAA title in 2025 while capturing the Heisman Trophy, is expected to be the first quarterback selected on draft day, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the top pick.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 pounds, the Heisman winner finished his final college season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and a 72 percent completion rate, plus 276 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground.
Yet the 22-year-old is skipping one of the Combine's most high-profile workouts - the quarterbacks' throwing session - and he's offered a clear explanation for that decision.
"At the combine, you're throwing to different receivers, it's a whole different thing," Mendoza said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, per ESPN. "And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance. I want to throw at Pro Day with my guys, with my running backs, and be there with the boys."
Mendoza's comments detail a calculated choice: rather than showcasing his arm strength and accuracy on a neutral practice field with unfamiliar receivers, he'd prefer to do so in a more controlled setting tailored to his strengths and relationships built over his collegiate career.
On paper, that makes a lot of sense not just for Mendoza, but also for the other wideouts and tailbacks participating in the event with him.
Team-first approach and draft implications
Mendoza's decision carries multiple implications for how teams evaluate quarterback prospects. The NFL Combine is traditionally used to test physical traits, from the 40-yard dash to throwing mechanics, under uniform conditions.
But in Mendoza's case, the perceived risk of "throwing to different receivers" may outweigh the reward of flashing physical tools for scouts. Instead, he's placing greater value on Pro Day, where he can operate within a familiar system and spotlight his comfort level with college teammates - potentially giving scouts more accurate context for how his skills translate to a pro offense.
From a team evaluator's perspective, this could be viewed in two ways. Some may praise his strategic thinking and leadership qualities, appreciating that he's prioritizing meaningful reps and supporting teammates' draft opportunities. Others might question whether skipping Combine drills limits direct comparisons with other quarterback prospects.
After all, the 2026 quarterback class was once considered one of the deepest in recent memory, even though many - like Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik - underwhelmed relative to preseason expectations.
Yet given Mendoza's projected draft status, scouts and front offices may be more than satisfied with his Pro Day performance. With the Raiders' need for a franchise signal-caller widely discussed across the league, the focus on his situational field performance could outweigh a lack of Combine throwing drills.