New England Patriots
“Tom Brady, I imagine, is the best quarterback of all time, by a large margin.”
The consensus No. 1 decide throughout mocks for the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t hiding his pleasure in regards to the potential to play for the Tom Brady minority-owned Las Vegas Raiders.
Fernando Mendoza, the 22-year-old reigning Heisman Trophy and School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship winner with the Indiana Hoosiers, was requested in regards to the prospect of being chosen by the Raiders first general in two months. Being drafted by Las Vegas as a highly-touted QB means attending to work up-close with Brady, who Mendoza deems to be the G.O.A.T.
“I imply, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady? I imply, extra Tremendous Bowl rings than anyone. So that chance can be unbelievable,” Mendoza instructed reporters on the NFL Mix in Indianapolis, Indiana (via The Boston Globe’s Christopher Price). “Tom Brady, I imagine, is the best quarterback of all time, by a large margin, and to have the ability to have the chance to be mentored by him, it will imply a lot.”
Mendoza, who was born in Boston, famous that he accomplished a pre-draft interview with Las Vegas. He stated he briefly spoke with Brady over the cellphone, however “appears to be like ahead to assembly him in particular person sometime.”
Mendoza turned a family identify this previous faculty soccer season throughout a breakout 12 months with the Hoosiers. On high of his Heisman and CFP Nationwide Championship trophies, he was named the Nationwide Championship Recreation Offensive MVP, AP School Soccer Participant of the 12 months, and Large-Ten MVP, amongst others.
Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards, a NCAA-best 41 touchdowns, and completed the 12 months with a 72.0 completion share and second-NCAA-best 182.9 passer score. He was a serious cog in Indiana’s unprecedented turnaround from one of many worst CFB groups to nationwide champions, making him ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s first general decide in his newest mock draft.
“I gained’t waste a number of time right here: Mendoza to the Raiders appears fairly apparent at this level,” Kiper wrote. “Mendoza is the No. 1 prospect on my board and much and away one of the best QB within the class. He’s aggressive and exact along with his ball location.”
Whereas Brady didn’t expertise Mendoza’s stage of collegiate success, their humility as younger QBs is strikingly comparable. Whereas consultants view Mendoza as a lock to grow to be a Raider, the participant made positive to notice that he doesn’t suppose it’s assured.
“I do know they’ve the No. 1 decide, however something can occur within the draft,” Mendoza stated (via NFL.com’s Eric Edholm). “Excited for the chance and no matter workforce drafts me, I’m going to present all the pieces I obtained to them.”
Mendoza added that he wouldn’t have any animosity towards Las Vegas, or any group, for passing him over within the Draft.
“There’d be no arduous emotions,” he stated (via FOX Sports’ Henry McKenna). “I’m simply grateful for no matter workforce drafts me, whether or not it’s the No. 1 decide or the 199th decide.”
Brady, heavy on Mendoza’s thoughts, was famously drafted No. 199 general within the 1999 NFL Draft and went on to win seven Tremendous Bowls.
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