NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The projected top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, said a team executive suggested he be arrested so he would slide down to that team’s pick in the upcoming draft.
Mendoza is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is still interviewing other teams at the NFL combine.
Mendoza revealed the suggestion a team made to him about being arrested during an interview with CBS Sports on Friday when asked about the most bizarre question he got from teams at the NFL combine.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Indiana Hoosiers quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Alberto Mendoza (16) warm up prior to the game against the UCLA Bruins at Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
“It was, ‘hey, maybe you should get arrested,’ and I was kind of confused, but then I was like, the slide … so you could slide in the draft,” he said.
Mendoza declined to reveal which team came up with the proposal.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Alberto Mendoza (16) take the field for warmups before the 2025 Big Ten Conference Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 6, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Photos)
“So hopefully I don’t get arrested,” he added.
Mendoza is the hottest quarterback prospect this year after leading Indiana to the first 16-0 season in modern college football history, winning the national championship and the Heisman Trophy.
He finished the 2025 season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Other teams in need of a quarterback besides the Raiders may not find many answers in this draft after Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returned to college for another year.
Other prospects, including Ty Simpson, Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier, are expected to be lower prospects compared to Mendoza.
Related article
