Why Fernando Mendoza is skipping NFL Combine: Indiana QB taking alternate approach ahead of NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the NFL Draft has surprises every year, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft won’t be one of them.
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Fernando Mendoza seems locked in as the first name called on April 23 in Pittsburgh and will soon be a part of the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, those tuning into the NFL Combine will not see the former Indiana Hoosier letting the pigskin fly. The Miami native has opted to throw solely at his school’s Pro Day.
Mendoza is far from the first top-rated quarterback to pass on throwing at the combine, and he joins an elite group of NFL QBs who have done the same.
Why is Fernando Mendoza skipping the NFL Combine? Here is what to know.
MORE:SN’s latest 2026 Mock Draft
Why is Fernando Mendoza skipping the NFL Combine?
Mendoza won’t be throwing on Feb. 28 during the QB portion of the combine because he wants to be familiar with who he is throwing to.
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Along with Mendoza having a more comfortable experience, he wants to share the stage with his former teammates. The former Hoosier QB will throw to WRs Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., and E.J. Williams Jr., and TEs Riley Nowakowski and Holden Staes. RBs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black will also be present at Indiana’s Pro Day.
According to Mendoza on The Pat McAfee Show on Feb. 6, “At the combine, you’re throwing to different receivers, it’s a whole different thing. And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance.”
MORE:Â Where is Fernando Mendoza from?
Indiana’s Pro Day will take place on April 1 at Mellencamp Pavilion in Bloomington.
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A few recent top-drafted QBs who opted to throw at their school’s Pro Day instead of the Draft Combine were:Â Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye (2024), Bryce Young (2023), Joe Burrow (2020), and Kyler Murray (2019).
With this in mind, Mendoza shouldn’t fall out of the top spot due to this decision. If anything, his reasoning of wanting to help his teammates may show NFL teams that the former Heisman winner is ready to lead a team.
Fernando Mendoza stats
Since transferring from California after the 2024 season, Mendoza showed improvement in virtually every category as a QB. Here are his stats from his three-year college career.
Season
Teams
Games Played
Pass Yds
Pass TDs
Rush TDs
INTs
CMPs
ATTs
Cmp %
Y/A
Y/G
Rating
2023
Cal
9
1,708
14
2
10
153
243
63.0
7.0
189.8
132.8
2024
Cal
11
3,004
16
2
6
265
386
68.7
7.8
273.1
144.6
2025
Indiana
16
3,535
41
7
6
273
379
72.0
9.3
220.9
156.2
Career
—
36
8,247
71
11
22
621
1,008
68.6
8.2
227.9
156.2
MORE: Inside Fernando Mendoza’s college timeline, from Cal to Indiana
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Fernando Mendoza mock draft
In Sporting News’ most recent mock draft, Mendoza is projected to be drafted 1st overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Las Vegas desperately needs a franchise quarterback to complement its young cornerstones in running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. Mendoza seems to be far and away the most viable option in this year’s draft, and Las Vegas isn’t wasting anytime in finding their team leader.