{"id":625591,"date":"2026-05-05T21:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/625591\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T21:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:46:10","slug":"fernando-mendozas-ability-questioned-by-college-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/625591\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Mendoza’s ability questioned by college coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not everyone believes Fernando Mendoza will be a star in the NFL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One college coach who faced the Raiders\u2019 new quarterback while the signal-caller was at Cal told ESPN recently<\/a> he couldn\u2019t foresee the 22-year-old having a Pro Bowl-caliber career.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good decision-maker,\u201d the coach said, \u201cbut I don\u2019t think he\u2019s got the NFL traits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CaliforniaOne college coach who faced Fernandon Mendoza while he was at Cal said he couldn\u2019t foresee the 22-year-old having a Pro Bowl-caliber career. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The coach explained that most of Mendoza\u2019s highlight-reel plays came from back-shoulder throws \u2014 and he\u2019s not convinced that\u2019s a translatable trait.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not working in the NFL,\u201d he said. \u201cHis receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Mendoza began his collegiate career at Cal in 2022 and earned his first start for the Golden Bears in 2023. After playing in a total of 20 games in \u201923 and \u201924, he transferred to Indiana and had a dream season in \u201925.<\/p>\n

\"LasThe Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick last month. Candice Ward-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Mendoza<\/a> completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He won the Heisman Trophy and the national championship.<\/p>\n

On April 23, he was taken by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick<\/a> in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Another college coach who spoke with ESPN under the condition of anonymity had some similar concerns as the other unnamed coach, though he certainly seemed more optimistic about Mendoza\u2019s chances.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a lot of support, lot of help there, so we\u2019ll see what he can do,\u201d the second coach said. \u201cWhat I was impressed with him is coming up big. You can\u2019t teach that, and he has it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s right and who\u2019s wrong will take some time to figure out \u2014 Mendoza is not expected to play immediately for Las Vegas, as the team signed veteran Kirk Cousins to start this season.<\/p>\n

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