fernando mendoza

Fernando Gabriel Mendoza V (born October 1, 2003) is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.

College Career

• California Golden Bears: Mendoza played for the University of California, Berkeley, for three seasons (2022–2024), where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration.
• Indiana Hoosiers: In 2025, he transferred to Indiana University. During his time there, he had a standout season, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the team to a national championship. He also received numerous accolades, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O'Brien Award, and the Manning Award.

Professional Career

• NFL Draft: Mendoza was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.
• Contract: He signed a fully guaranteed rookie contract worth $57.27 million in July 2026.
• NFL Debut: He made his professional debut during the 2026 preseason against the Arizona Cardinals. For the start of the 2026 regular season, he was named as the backup quarterback behind Kirk Cousins.

Background

Raised in Miami, Florida, Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School, where he was a standout quarterback. Beyond athletics, he has been noted for his community service, including organizing local turkey drives and co-founding the organization "They Can Too" to support youth in need.