Mendoza opted to skip the draft venue, gathering with his loved ones to mark the occasion and receive support from those who helped shape his journey from recruiting through transfers and to Indiana.
ESPN captured the moment when Mendoza heard his name called, with his mother by his side as he embraced his family and realized a lifelong dream.
In a remarkable five-month span, Mendoza’s family watched him add a Heisman Trophy and a national championship to his growing list of achievements, now capped by the top overall selection.
The Raiders have added quarterback Kirk Cousins and built an offense with Mendoza in mind, with head coach Klint Kubiak signaling that the best quarterback will earn the starting job.
Mendoza rose up draft boards during the 2025 season, throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 41 touchdowns while guiding Indiana to a perfect season.
The challenge now is translating championship momentum to the NFL and delivering an immediate impact for a Raiders franchise seeking a return to contention.
