Indiana NFL Draft history: Fernando Mendoza declares, likely to become Hoosiers’ highest-ever selection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that Fernando Mendoza helped Indiana complete a 16-0 season, he is headed to the NFL.
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The Hoosiers quarterback announced Friday that he intends to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza still had another year of college eligibility, but he made the expected decision to go pro after winning both the national championship and the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza is already perhaps the most important player in Indiana football history, and now he could make more history for the Hoosiers at the next level. Here’s what Mendoza’s decision means.
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Indiana players in NFL Draft
Indiana doesn’t have an extensive list of highly-drafted players, as the program wasn’t known for developing talent. Therefore, here’s a look at the highest-drafted Indiana players in NFL Draft history.
Year
Pick
Player
Position
Team
1938
Round 1, Pick 1
Corby Davis
FB
Cleveland Rams
1966
Round 1, Pick 4
Randy Beisler
G
Philadelphia Eagles
1944
Round 1, Pick 6
Billy Hillenbrand
HB
New York Giants
1974
Round 1, Pick 6
Carl Barzilauskas
DT
New York Jets
1964
Round 1, Pick 8
Marv Woodson
DB
Baltimore Colts
1985
Round 1, Pick 9
Kevin Allen
T
Philadelphia Eagles
1988
Round 1, Pick 10
Eric Moore
G
New York Giants
1965
Round 1, Pick 11
Tom Nowatzke
FB
Detroit Lions
1992
Round 1, Pick 21
Vaughn Dunbar
RB
New Orleans Saints
1994
Round 1, Pick 24
Thomas Lewis
WR
New York Giants
1968
Round 1, Pick 27
Doug Crusan
T
Miami Dolphins
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Fernando Mendoza draft projection
Mendoza is widely expected to go first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to the LAs Vegas Raiders. While Mendoza may not be considered the best overall prospect in the draft, he is the best quarterback, and therefore will rise to the top of the entire event.
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Last Indiana player drafted in first round
Indiana hasn’t had a player taken in the first round since 1994, when the New York Giants selected wide receiver Thomas Lewis with the 24th overall pick. Lewis played three seasons at Indiana, totaling 2,147 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 33 games.
In the NFL, Lewis lasted just four seasons, all with the Giants, finishing with 74 catches for 1,032 yards and five touchdowns.
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How old is Fernando Mendoza?
Mendoza is 22 years-old, as he spent the past four years in college at both Cal and Indiana. Mendoza first redshirted for the Golden Bears, but later played in 20 games for the Golden Bears before transferring to Bloomington.