In all likelihood, Heisman winner and NCAA national champion Fernando Mendoza will be heading to Las Vegas as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. However, a lot of rumors have since muddied the waters a bit, with some claiming he might not have as big a role with the Raiders or that the team might pass on him. With all those rumors floating around, the team with the No. 2 pick, the New York Jets, might have a chance of getting him.
As Mendoza was riding a golf cart, the Indiana Hoosiers star was told that he should be a Jet. Mendoza diplomatically gave a smile and told the person recording the video, “We will see what happens.”
Of course, that is still just a possibility, as Fernando Mendoza has shown that he is still keeping his options open just in case the Raiders do not turn out as he has hoped. Soon after winning the Heisman, the quarterback went on to lead the Hoosiers to an undefeated national championship run that has led many to believe that he will be the future of the league.
For now, the Raiders still seem to be very interested in him, especially after its co-owners, including legendary QB Tom Brady, watched him perform during the national championship final against Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. He scored an impressive rushing touchdown that many believed sealed the win for Indiana and their very first national championship.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Klint Kubiak Sounds Off on Fernando Mendoza
With the Raiders having the No. 1 pick, head coach Klint Kubiak talked about Fernando Mendoza in an interview with the team’s official website. There, he tried to push back on the rumors that they are not interested in the Hoosiers star.
“Excited to keep learning about him and it’s not just me, it’s our entire coaching staff,” he said. “I want all of our coaches to get involved, especially at that position. I want everybody’s input, but obviously, he’s been successful. He had a lot of success last year. He won a national championship, and that’s what you want. You want a winner.”
This means that for now, the Raiders still have their eye on Mendoza and are still very much interested in him. However, should they decide to pick another for No. 1, it should be certain that the Jets would pounce and pick him up for No. 2.
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