Raiders minority owner Tom Brady evaluates Fernando Mendoza: 'He's got a bright future'

Now that the college football season is over, the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The sense is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will go atop the board, and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady got a front-row seat to watch him in the national championship.

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.

Now, Mendoza has a chance to follow in the shoes of players such as Joe Burrow by going No. 1 overall after winning the Heisman Trophy and the national championship. The Raiders hold that pick, and Brady – who also works as FOX Sports’ lead NFL color commentator – shared his evaluation after roaming hte sidelines and watching the game with his son.

“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.”

Tom Brady: ‘Still so much room for development’

All told, during his lone season at Indiana after transferring from Cal, Fernando Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns while leading the Hoosiers to just the second 16-0 season in college football history. He also made an impact with his legs, totaling 276 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

But as Mendoza prepares to head to the NFL, Tom Brady acknowledged that like any player coming out of college, he still has some work to do to get even better. That’s also part of the evaluation process.

“Everybody coming into the league, there’s still so much room for development,” brady said. “Nobody’s a finished product. I don’t care whether you won the Heisman or you’re the 199th pick in the draft. It’s, what do you do when you get there? How important is this to you? Are you obsessed with your job? Are you obsessed with being the best you can be?

“These young men – whether it’s Fernando or a lot of other players who were on the field the other night – they have a great opportunity to do something in their life to enhance their family’s life, to go impact their community in a positive way by playing great football and bringing joy to a fan base. That’s a job you take very seriously. All these young prospects, I hope they go to environments that embrace them completely, that can help them develop into the best player they can be.”