Indiana quarterback Fernando MendozaThe Heisman Trophy winner last season, who led the No. 1 Hoosiers to their first national championship, announced on social media Friday that he will forgo his final college season and enter the NFL Draft.

Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. las vegas raiders.

“Let’s get to work,” Mendoza wrote on his Instagram account. “It is with great humility that I announce that I have officially been selected for the 2026 NFL Draft!”

Raiders majority owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek were on the Indiana sideline before the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10. miami Monday at the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was considered a potential No. 1 pick, but chose to return to the Ducks for one more season in college.

Mendoza spent two seasons Cal Before transferring to Indiana, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 276 yards and seven scores.

In Monday night’s win over the Hurricanes, Mendoza threw for 186 yards and scored on a memorable 12-yard run to give the Hoosiers a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Hoosiers became the second team in history to finish 16-0, and the first in the modern era. yale university In 1894.

If the Raiders select Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the draft to be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25, he will become the third player to win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship and be drafted No. 1 in the same 12-month period.

Joe Burrow was nominated in first place by cincinnati bengals in the 2020 draft after leading LSU to the CFP National Championship, and auburnCam Newton was the top pick. carolina panthers In the 2011 draft.