Fernando Mendoza may have won the Heisman Trophy and led the Indiana Hoosiers to the national championship, but he is far more interested in looking forward than he is in celebrating past accomplishments. Mendoza is currently training with the other rookies and coaches on the Las Vegas Raiders at the team’s rookie minicamp. He wants to be as sharp as possible every step of the way as he begins his NFL career at the No. 1 selection in this year’s draft.
Fernando Mendoza says he won’t miss Raiders OTAs to attend the White House with Indiana.
“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself. … As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look.” pic.twitter.com/NSGxrkG8ZA
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 2, 2026
Mendoza and his former Indiana teammates are scheduled to go to The White House and gain the recognition that goes with championship teams. However, Mendoza is having doubts about making the trip to Washington D.C. The Raiders will be in the midst of their Organized Training Activity (OTA) when it’s time to go to the White House, and Mendoza does not want to miss any practice time as he prepares for the upcoming season.
The trip would take place May 11, and that’s the first day of the Las Vegas OTA. “I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said. “I have to prove myself and that would be difficult to do if I miss the first day of our OTA. I want to serve my teammates as best as possible. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look.”
Mendoza figures to move up the depth charts quickly, but that does not mean he will be starting for the Raiders during the early part of his rookie season. The Raiders brought in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason, and he is expected to start the season under center for the Raiders.
Fernando Mendoza may have won the Heisman Trophy and led the Indiana Hoosiers to the national championship, but he is far more interested in looking forward than he is in celebrating past accomplishments. Mendoza is currently training with the other rookies and coaches on the Las Vegas Raiders at the team’s rookie minicamp.