He Cuban-American quarterback Fernando Mendozaprojected as the first overall selection of the NFL Draft 2026, will not be present at the event that will be held on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
As reported by ESPN, Mendoza will continue the most important day of his career since Miami with his family, instead of attending the draft in person. The decision has attracted attention, especially because everything indicates that he will be chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders, owners of the number 1 pick.
Fernando Mendoza, the Cuban-American who leads the 2026 NFL Draft
At 22 years old, Fernando Mendoza has established himself as the strongest name of the new generation of quarterbacks and as one of the great stories of the American football university.
The Cuban-American quarterback, former Indiana Hoosiers star, is coming off a historic season after leading Indiana to the national title, raising his stock to the highest level before the jump to the NFL.
His numbers in the last campaign were impressive:
72% of passes completed
3,535 passing yards
41 touchdowns
Only 6 interceptions
That performance allowed him to win the Heisman Trophy, confirming himself as the best player in college football and reinforcing his status as the absolute favorite to open the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza preferred Miami instead of the draft stage
Although it is usual for the most important prospects to be present at the official ceremony, Fernando Mendoza chose to experience that moment in a more intimate and familiar environment.
The Cuban-American quarterback will be in Miami, surrounded by his team, while he waits to hear his name as a possible first overall pick. The decision is not unprecedented, but it is unusual for a player called to be the great face of the night.
In recent years, some top talent has also chosen not to attend the event, such as Trevor Lawrence in 2021 and Travon Walker in 2022.
However, the last three players selected at No. 1 — Bryce Young, Caleb Williams and Cam Ward — were present at the ceremony.
Las Vegas Raiders, most likely destination
Except for a last-minute surprise, everything indicates that the Raiders will bet on Fernando Mendoza as the new leader of their franchise.
The Las Vegas Raiders organization needs stability and talent at the most important position on the field, and Mendoza fits perfectly into the profile of a modern quarterback: accurate, athletic, intelligent and with great leadership.
In addition, his spectacular performance at Indiana’s pro day last week consolidated the perception that he is ready to make the immediate leap to professionalism.
A historic moment for Cuban-American talent
Beyond the sporting aspect, the possible selection of Fernando Mendoza as number 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft would also have a strong symbolic value.
The rise of the Cuban-American quarterback represents an important moment for Latino visibility within the NFL and could make him one of the great Hispanic figures in American sports in the coming years.
With the media focus on him, Mendoza no longer only arrives as a promise: he arrives as a star.
