Sports

Fernando Mendoza declares for the NFL draft. But his special bobblehead will beat him to a Hall of Fame

January 23, 2026

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has announced his decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, foregoing his senior season after leading the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record and winning the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza is projected to be the top overall pick, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the first selection.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers dives for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Credit: (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

Key Highlights

Fernando Mendoza is the first Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana University.
He led the Hoosiers to a national championship with a perfect 16-0 season.
Mendoza's fourth-down touchdown against Miami secured the title.
The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to draft Mendoza first overall.
A bobblehead commemorating his championship touchdown has been released.

Sport nfl US sports College football College sports Las Vegas Raiders

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Fernando Mendoza declares for the NFL draft. But his special bobblehead will beat him to a Hall of Fame

Key Highlights

Sources

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