In the upcoming NFL Draft, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is getting just about all the attention. After a wild season where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a national championship, most folks expect Mendoza to go No. 1 overall.
The Las Vegas Raiders have the top pick and look ready to pair Mendoza with their new head coach, Klint Kubiak. It feels like this could be the start of something big for the Raiders, who are itching to rebuild and finally make some noise in the AFC.
Fernando Mendoza’s Impressive Season
Fernando Mendoza’s 2025 season was, honestly, something to watch. He racked up 3,535 passing yards and tossed 41 touchdowns, with just six interceptions. That’s a stat line most quarterbacks would dream about.
His accuracy? Pretty unreal—he completed 72 percent of his passes. And he wasn’t just a pocket guy; Mendoza scored seven rushing touchdowns too, showing off his versatility.
National Rankings
Mendoza finished at or near the top in several national stats:
- 1st in passing efficiency
- 1st in passing touchdowns
- 3rd in completion percentage
During Indiana’s College Football Playoff run, Mendoza somehow got even better. He completed 74.6 percent of his passes for 555 yards, eight touchdowns, and not a single interception. That’s just wild.
Expert Opinions
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper is all in on Mendoza, calling him a lock for the No. 1 pick. *Fernando Mendoza, lock it in,* Kiper said. You hear the same thing from other analysts—Mendoza’s accuracy and arm talent just seem to fit the NFL mold.
Field Yates on Mendoza
Field Yates at ESPN also had plenty to say. He highlighted Mendoza’s big frame, his ability to move in the pocket, and how quickly he processes plays. *As the Raiders embark upon a new era with Klint Kubiak at head coach, Mendoza is the ideal partner to pair with him,* Yates wrote.
Yates pointed out Mendoza’s calm under pressure and knack for clutch moments. That’s the kind of thing the Raiders have been missing for a while.
Klint Kubiak’s New Role
The Raiders recently hired Klint Kubiak, who was the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator last season, as their new head coach. Kubiak’s history with quarterbacks is pretty impressive.
Under Kubiak, Seahawks QB Sam Darnold threw for 4,048 yards this year—fifth in the league. Seattle finished third in points per game and eighth in total yards, and, oh yeah, they won the Super Bowl.
Kubiak and Mendoza: A Perfect Match?
Pairing Kubiak with Mendoza could change everything for the Raiders. Kubiak has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, and Mendoza’s skills seem to fit right into his system.
*The consistency of Mendoza all year was remarkable,* Kiper added. *To have the head coach Klint Kubiak coming in, what a great situation to be in.*
Raiders’ New Direction
With Mendoza and Kubiak on board, the Raiders are clearly trying to turn the page. They’ve already got some solid offensive weapons—running back Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers jump out right away.
Still, if the Raiders want Mendoza to succeed, they’ll need to beef up the offensive line. It’s not rocket science—keep your new quarterback upright and good things might happen.
Ownership’s Confidence
Minority owner Tom Brady and majority owner Mark Davis were both spotted in Miami for Mendoza’s national championship win. That says a lot about their investment in this new direction.
With the AFC loaded with talented quarterbacks, the Raiders are hoping this fresh start with Mendoza and Kubiak helps them finally close the gap. It’s a tall order, but hey, you never know in football.
Conclusion
The Las Vegas Raiders are standing right at the edge of something new. With Fernando Mendoza likely to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, there’s a buzz in the air that you just can’t ignore.
He’s coming in alongside head coach Klint Kubiak, which feels like a combination that could actually work. Mendoza’s college stats were strong, and a lot of analysts seem convinced he’s ready to shake things up in the NFL.
Curious to dig deeper? Check out the full article on Fernando Mendoza and Klint Kubiak’s potential partnership.
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