Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, led the Hoosiers to a 16-0 season and a national championship over Miami, solidifying his status as the premier quarterback prospect entering the draft.
As draft week approaches, Mendoza and his advisers will weigh their participation in the NFL Combine and Indiana’s Pro Day, though he indicated a potentially limited involvement. “I look forward to attending the Combine and participating in the IU Pro Day,” he said, noting a careful assessment of timing after a 16-game season.
The decision process also touched on senior showcases, with Mendoza thanking invitations to events like the Senior Bowl and Shrine games, but signaling that the workload of a long college season will factor into how much he participates.
On the coaching front, Klint Kubiak appears to be the leading candidate for the Raiders’ head coaching job, with reports that he would prefer Las Vegas over the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that Kubiak is expected to meet with the Raiders this weekend as the team moves toward naming a new coach.
If Mendoza lands with the Raiders alongside a new head coach, the pairing would represent a significant step in reshaping a franchise looking to turn around its fortunes.
This summary is based on reporting from Heavy Sports.
