While NFL teams are currently in the OTA phase of the offseason, life goes on for players across the league. The same can be said for 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who, before transferring to Indiana University for the 2025 season, spent his first three collegiate seasons playing for the California Golden Bears.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the Las Vegas Raiders rookie was able to walk the graduation stage in his original college hometown, sparking reactions across the internet.<\/p>\n
NFL World Shares Thoughts on Fernando Mendoza Graduating<\/p>\n
After Mendoza walked the stage and earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Management from the Haas School of Business, one Raiders podcaster reacted to the news.<\/p>\n
\u201cBro really out here doing side missions. This might be the greatest run ever \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\udc10,\u201d the podcaster wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bro really out here doing side missions. This might be the greatest run ever \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\udc10 #RaiderNation<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/SE4BnLVEKy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Graphk Raider (@GraphkRaider) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Since right before the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza has been popping up everywhere, including attending the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA, as well as a private brunch hosted by Tom Brady and Travis Scott. He was also honored at the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame ceremony for his college football accomplishments.<\/p>\n However, since the draft, Mendoza\u2019s top priority has been getting acclimated with the Raiders and participating in early offseason practices.<\/p>\n \n Take a Quick Break. Run a Mock Draft! Some people were confused why Mendoza was graduating from Cal after he transferred to Indiana, whom he led to a national championship this past season.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he transferred back to Cal in the spring?\u201d wrote<\/a> one journalist.<\/p>\n However, it was revealed that Mendoza finished his Cal coursework in 2025 while enrolled at Indiana for his master\u2019s degree, and the school invited him back to walk and receive his bachelor\u2019s. He was introduced<\/a> by Haas School of Business Dean Jenny Chatman, who paused the MBA commencement to explain why Mendoza had missed the undergraduate ceremony three days earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind that I invited this person to our MBA commencement. He actually had a really good excuse for missing commencement. He used his hot skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package, but he wasn\u2019t able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job. Can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza,\u201d Chatman told the crowd.<\/p>\n The introduction drew loud cheers from the audience as Mendoza walked across the stage in cap and gown to accept his degree.<\/p>\n \u201cHeisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who finished his Cal coursework in the summer before starring at Indiana, received his Business Administration and Management degree from Cal\u2019s Haas School of Business,\u201d one YouTuber wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n One Cal writer and podcaster celebrated the \u201cfull circle\u201d<\/a> moment for Mendoza.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning on and off the field,\u201d noted Athletes for America, who also pointed out that Mendoza didn\u2019t waste any time updating his LinkedIn page.<\/p>\n Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza walked at UC Berkeley\u2019s commencement today<\/p>\n Winning on and off the field<\/p>\n LinkedIn warriors, he beat you to the update pic.twitter.com\/bvhPlUKTvP<\/a><\/p>\n
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Before you keep reading, jump into the shoes of the GM of your favorite team.\n <\/p>\n