Fernando Mendoza, Cuban-American QB, selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft

April 25, 2026

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, of Cuban heritage, was selected on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, making him the first Cuban-American to hold that historic position in professional American football.

Mendoza, 22, was born on October 1, 2003, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Miami, Florida. All four of his grandparents emigrated from Cuba to Miami following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, making his rise a powerful symbol of the achievements of the Cuban-American community in the United States.

Before entering the Draft, the young quarterback had a historic college football season at Indiana University. After transferring from the University of California in December 2024, Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record and the College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating Miami 27-21 in the title game. During the season, he completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, threw 41 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions, and added 7 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him the Heisman Trophy, making him the first player in Indiana history to receive the award.

Mendoza chose not to attend the draft ceremony in Pittsburgh, staying home to be with his mother, Elsa Mendoza, who lives with multiple sclerosis. "She is the light of my family," the quarterback said in pre-draft interviews. He received the news of his selection surrounded by his loved ones.

With this pick, Fernando Mendoza becomes the fifth Heisman Trophy winner drafted by the Raiders, joining a list that includes Marcus Allen (1982), Bo Jackson (1987), Tim Brown (1988), and Charles Woodson (1998).