Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza during the Rose Bowl game Alabama. / Credit: Indiana Athletics
Fernando Mendoza Declares For NFL Draft
Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman in December and the national championship in January. What does the future hold?
Well, he may be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
The 2025 Heisman winner made it official today, announcing he was foregoing his remaining eligibility at Indiana and declared for the NFL Draft.
Mendoza is one of a handful of players considered as a potential No. 1 overall pick for the draft that begins four months from today (April 23). The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first pick.
Should he go first, Mendoza would be the 26th Heisman winner drafted first overall and the first since 2022 winner Caleb Williams was selected atop the 2024 Draft, one spot ahead of 2023 winner Jayden Daniels.
There have been 43 Heisman winners drafted inside the top 5 and 61 taken in the first round.
In a social media post, the ever-humble Mendoza posted a video with the quote underneath: “Let’s get to work. I’m humbled to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft!”
Mendoza is the fourth Heisman winner to have led his team to a CFP title since the playoff system began in 2014, joining Alabama’s Derrick Henry (2015), LSU’s Joe Burrow (2019) and Smith. He is the first to do it in the expanded format.
