It’s clear that, barring any surprises, the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick will select Fernando Mendoza, who defied all predictions to become the top quarterback talent for the upcoming NFL Draft and could be the only quarterback taken in the first round on April 23.
Before the 2025 NCAA Football season began, the conversation revolved around Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Cade Klubnik-all of whom had a rather disappointing 2025. Sports history had another path to greatness, and it was Fernando Mendoza who, against all odds, stole the spotlight.
Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers, a program not traditionally recognized in college football, to their first-ever national title, finishing with a perfect 16-0 record, throwing 35 touchdown passes, and surpassing 4,000 passing yards. On top of that, Mendoza was awarded the Heisman Trophy and is now heading to the NFL.
Fernando Mendoza compared to Cam Ward
Being projected as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft naturally comes with media pressure-a weight that has already begun to fall on Mendoza, who will become the new quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
There’s hardly a mock draft where Mendoza isn’t listed as the Raiders’ top pick. Analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared him to Cam Ward in his latest report: “I gave him the same grade I gave Cam Ward. … The best attribute [Mendoza] has is his toughness.”
To recall, Cam Ward was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, selected by the Tennessee Titans. Fans began questioning whether this comparison was positive or negative, since Ward experienced ups and downs in his rookie season. In 2024, when he was eligible, he actually returned to college because he was projected only as a fourth-round pick at the time.
Fans asked Grok, the AI on X, whether the comparison was good or bad, and it responded: “Daniel Jeremiah compared his grade on Cam Ward to Bo Nix (2024 draft), noting Ward would’ve ranked behind the top 4 QBs in that class but was still a high first-round talent. Ward went #1 overall in 2025. For a QB like Mendoza getting the same grade, it’s positive, suggesting strong starter potential with notable toughness.”
So, the comparison leans positive. It’s also worth remembering that Ward joined a Titans team with limited talent, whereas Mendoza will have the Raiders-arguably a roster with more supporting pieces. Without a doubt, it will be exciting to see Mendoza become the cornerstone for a Las Vegas Raiders rebuild.
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