The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, barring a trade or surprise pick. Moreover, if the Silver and Black need more convincing, ESPN’s Josh Pate gave a promising outlook.
During an appearance on “The Colin Cowherd Podcast,” Pate stated that he’s seeing a better version of Mendoza since winning the Heisman Trophy. The Indiana star is elevating his game at the most crucial time in the College Football Playoff, and those should be exciting words to hear for Raiders fans.
“The ball’s like a cannon coming out of his hand,” Pate told Cowherd about Mendoza in the episode published on Jan. 14. “He’s making a lot of far hash-out throws, the typical NFL throws that you want to see. Made a number of them. And that particular game, I was partly on the field, partly up in the press box, so you’re getting every vantage point.
“You watched him throughout the playoff, how many times do you see a quarterback justifiably win the Heisman Trophy and then play better post-winning the Heisman? He’s played his best football in the playoff. I don’t care if this dude goes to Las Vegas; he’ll order Uber Eats six nights out of the week. There’s not an ounce of character concerns. So everything that you would want physically is there.”
Mario Cristobal Doesn’t Hold Back on Fernando Mendoza
Mendoza and the Hoosiers will be facing the Miami Hurricanes, whose head football coach, Mario Cristobal, shared thoughts on what makes the 22-year-old an elite quarterback.
“I think he combines everything that you would want in an elite quarterback,” Cristobal said on Jan. 12 while talking to reporters (h/t Big Ten Football). “[Mendoza is] ahead of the defense all the time; he’s two steps ahead. He understands the back end, the front [and] he’s extremely accurate, poised; he can make you pay with his feet. He can make you pay with his arm; he understands protections really well.
“[Mendoza] anticipates like no other [and] he really has distinguished himself as the best football player in the country this year, and it’s not by accident. A lot of reps, a lot of hard work. A guy that has been a complete difference maker for their program.”
Raiders Get Strong Message From Bruce Arians
If minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek need any convincing that Mendoza is their guy, former NFL head coach Bruce Arians didn’t hold back on his thoughts regarding the Indiana star.
“I think he’s got all the traits, man, and drinking beer is one of them, especially with the offensive line,” Arians said on the Jan. 6 edition of the “Pat McAfee Show.”
“Every quarterback gotta to take care of his offensive line and maybe a top receiver or two. But he’s got all the measurables. The guy can spin it. He’s athletic. Reminds me a lot of Drake Maye coming out—same height, same speed. But yeah, he could place the ball anywhere he wants to put it.”
Raiders Hit With Promising Take on Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza