Cuban-American Fernando Mendoza, No. 1 Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Named Among People en Español's 50 Most Beautiful

August 7, 2026

Cuban-American quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, was named to People en Español's 2026 "50 Most Beautiful" list, in a category spotlighting rising Latino athletes.

Mendoza, 22, was born October 1, 2003, in Boston and grew up in Miami, the grandson of four grandparents who were all born in Cuba and emigrated to the United States after the 1959 revolution. In comments made in December 2025, he said, "My heritage is Cuban-American," pointing to the significance of his grandparents' sacrifices, and he spoke partly in Spanish during his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech as a nod to the Hispanic community.

After beginning his college career at the University of California, Mendoza transferred to Indiana, where in 2025 he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated 16-0 season and the College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating Miami 27-21. That season he won the Heisman Trophy along with the Walter Camp, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards, among other individual honors.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first Cuban-American player chosen No. 1 overall in the league's annual draft. Through the Mendoza Family Fund, he has pledged $500,000 toward multiple sclerosis research, a condition his mother has lived with for nearly two decades.