For months, the Las Vegas Raiders’ No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was clear: former Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Raiders owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady were both in attendance for the national championship on Jan. 19, when Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first title in program history.
The Raiders made the pick official Thursday, selecting Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. With the decision, the quarterback becomes Indiana’s second No. 1 pick in program history, joining fullback Corbett Davis in 1938. Mendoza is also just the 15th Hoosier to be drafted in the first round, and the first since 1994.
Mendoza did not throw at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he first met with Raiders ownership and coaches. Instead, he threw at Indiana’s pro day on April 1. Raiders first-year head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek were in attendance for the pro day.
In his lone season at Indiana, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, while leading the nation with 41 passing touchdowns. The Heisman Trophy winner added 276 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Mendoza opted to spend draft night in his hometown of Miami with his family, rather than in Pittsburgh. He will now join first-year head coach Klint Kubiak in Las Vegas, who has spoken highly of Mendoza. Mendoza is expected to battle for the starting quarterback job with Kirk Cousins.
After Mendoza went No. 1, the New York Jets selected wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30. This marks the first time two former Hoosiers were picked in the first round of the draft.
Cooper Jr. leaves Indiana with 22 career touchdown receptions –– the fourth most by a single player in program history –– and 1,798 total receiving yards. As a redshirt junior last season, Cooper Jr. strung together his best campaign as a Hoosier. He racked up 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Against Penn State on Nov. 8, 2025, Cooper Jr. made what many believe to be one of the greatest catches in college football history. The 7-yard, game-winning, toe-tap grab kept Indiana’s undefeated season alive.
Cooper Jr. will now join the Jets, where he will likely start in the slot alongside wide receiver Garrett Wilson. He will catch passes from offseason acquisition quarterback Geno Smith.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect Omar Cooper Jr. was selected by the New York Jets.
Follow reporter Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football offseason.
