Fernando Mendoza opens up on potentially being No. 1 pick by Las Vegas Raiders

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza declared for the NFL Draft after leading the Hoosiers to a national title and he could very well be the first selection. The Heisman Trophy winner is perhaps months away from being the new Las Vegas Raiders quarterback.

Tom Brady, who has a minority stake in the team, already had a rave review of Mendoza. If that’s any indication, perhaps Mendoza will be the guy for the Raiders as they hit the reset button.

But what does Mendoza think of Vegas? Well, it seems like the Indiana QB would be blessed to go anywhere in the pros.

“I’d be blessed to play anywhere,” Mendoza said, via SI. “The No. 1 pick is a great blessing, but any pick is a fantastic blessing. You only need one team to believe in you, so whatever team believes in me, I’m going to give them my most … The Raiders have a great culture, great coaching staff, great ownership group. It’s all around. Those are legit guys, so I’d be happy to end up anywhere.”

In 16 games this season, Mendoza finished the season with 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 72% completion percentage. Of course, it led to a Heisman Trophy as well as the national title this year, a historic year for Indiana.

But if he goes to the Raiders, he’ll know Brady got a good look at him too. As of now though, the Raiders have not hired a replacement for the fired Pete Carroll.

Brady was in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium as the Hoosiers took down Miami 27-21 in the game. Mendoza helped propel IU to the historic victory, powering his way for a touchdown on fourth down to put Indiana ahead 24-21. That proved to be the game-winner after Indiana got a field goal and Carson Beck threw a game-ending interception.

“I haven’t been to a college football game in so long,” Brady said on The Herd. “I’d never been to a national championship game. But just to see the environment, the atmosphere. Did it feel too big for anybody? He played tremendous all season – 16-0, leading his team.

“He’s another guy that when you hear him speak. I always kind of judge quarterbacks, I go, ‘How would I have answered that?’ He’s just a very mature young man. He’s got a bright future.”