LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Fernando Mendoza is officially a Las Vegas Raider.
The Raiders signed the quarterback, this year’s No. 1 overall pick in the first round, to a rookie contract on Thursday.
Mendoza spent the 2025 season at Indiana after three years at California. He appeared in 36 career games, starting 35, and completed 691 of 1,008 passes for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, according to the team.
In 2025, he led the Hoosiers to their first national championship and a perfect 16-0 season. He started all 16 games and finished 273-of-379 passing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions, the team says.
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Mendoza’s honors include the Heisman Trophy, AP Player of the Year, First Team AP All-American, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, and the Walter Camp, Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards.
The signing comes as Las Vegas prepares for the start of the season. The Raiders open preseason next month against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, August 13, before beginning the regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, September 13.
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