The Indiana Hoosiers are on top of the college football world right now, as they ran an undefeated season that led all the way to the national title. To top it all off, their star quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, also won the Heisman. However, their fairy tale run is now at an end as over a dozen of their core players are already taking the next step in their careers and have declared for the NFL Draft, including Mendoza.
With so many key players declaring for the draft, it is no secret that Curt Cignetti’s program is already in rebuild mode just weeks after winning the national title. That being said, here are the Indiana Hoosiers players who have declared for the 2026 NFL draft so far:
- QB Fernando Mendoza
- WR Omar Cooper Jr.
- CB D’Angelo Ponds
- WR Elijah Sarratt
- DE Mikail Kamara
- TE Riley Nowakowski
- RB Kaelon Black
- RB Roman Hemby
- OL Pat Coogan
- OL Kahlil Benson
- DE Stephen Daley
- DE Kellan Wyatt
- DT Hosea Wheeler
- DT Dominique Ratcliff
- LB Aiden Fisher
- Safety Louis Moore
- Safety Devan Boykin
Fernando Mendoza is likely to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, as he is not just the Heisman winner, but also the quarterback who led Indiana to a national title while also being undefeated. He is likely to go to the Las Vegas Raiders, which have the No. 1 pick in the draft this year. The team’s co-owners, including NFL legend Tom Brady, was also present during the national championship game and watching Mendoza perform.
Fernando Mendoza Speaks on Entering the NFL Draft
Fernando Mendoza is the first Indiana Hoosiers player to ever win the Heisman, so his entry to the 2026 NFL draft is only a matter of time. He has now declared for the draft, and it does seem that he will be going to Las Vegas. He revealed his decision in a video:
“Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith, a leap that led me to go 16-0 with my boys and a national championship,” Mendoza said. “And has now led me here, the moment where I get to dream bigger. … With trust in my foundation and gratitude for every person that has helped me reach this moment. I’m ready to take the next step. My LinkedIn status is now, open to work, and I’m officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.“
This season, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this season, as well as rushing for 276 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, including that game-winner against Miami last month.
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