Fernando Mendoza on CFP win, NFL prep, how Tom Brady affected his game | Full INTERVIEW | The herd
Indiana QB and No. 1 projected pick Fernando Mendoza joins Colin Cowherd to discuss the Hoosiers winning the national championship and how he prepared for Miami’s tough defense. He breaks down how his game has evolved from his Cal days and what led him to join Curt Cignetti’s program. Mendoza also shares the QBs whose game he’s trying to learn from and how he’s preparing for the NFL via Tom Brady.
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Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and projected No. 1 overall pick, is poised to begin his NFL career under the mentorship of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national championship during an undefeated 16–0 season, revealed this week that he spoke with Tom Brady during his official visit to the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the top pick in this year’s draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Appearing on the “Dan Patrick Show” Wednesday, Mendoza revealed the advice Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, shared with him during their meeting.
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“It was great. He gave me the message that he’s going to push me and he’s not going to be all crazy and that if the Raiders draft me, he’s going to be a mentor and he’s going to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have — whether it’s me, whether they draft someone else.”
Mendoza added that the offseason addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins presents another learning opportunity for the young signal caller.
Tom Brady attends Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
PROJECT TOP PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA DISCLOSES WHY HE’S SKIPPING NFL DRAFT
“Well, if I’m lucky enough to go to the Raiders, I think it will be a great opportunity to learn from someone who has had so much success over the years and who I think has a very similar style of play to me.”
Mendoza likely won’t take starting reps in Las Vegas — Brady and general manager John Spytek have said numerous times that they believe in not playing a young quarterback right away.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The Miami native won’t be in Pittsburgh to walk across the stage and be welcomed into the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday night. He will instead be at home with his family, citing his mother’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
