Fernando Mendoza sees Indiana similarities in Klint Kubiak’s Raiders system

· Yahoo Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have started early conversations with former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza as they work through their options with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Mendoza’s lone season in Bloomington turned into something most people did not see coming. His first year as the starter changed the entire trajectory of the program.

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The National Champion completed 273 of 379 passes in 2025, good for a 72 percent completion rate, while throwing for 3,535 yards. He tossed 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions and added 276 rushing yards with seven more scores on the ground.

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and D’Angelo Ponds kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

The Raiders are still hunting for their long-term solution at quarterback, and plenty of people expect the 22-year-old to be the first name called when the draft begins.

Mendoza sat down with reporters on Friday and shared his early thoughts on head coach Klint Kubiak, per Brandy Flores of Raiders Nation Radio.

“They’re very football savvy, which is great to see,” Mendoza said. “They taught me a play, and they had their whole progression of how they teach quarterbacks to play. It was very similar to how my Indiana progression was. Very Type A guys, and they had all the details of each play, what to do if you get a problem with each play, what’s your drop, what’s your progression. That’s something that I really enjoy.”

Raiders GM sends message on young QB plan

Raiders general manager John Spytek addressed the media on Feb. 24 and brought up the quarterback position without naming Mendoza directly. He made it clear the organization is at least weighing the idea of bringing in a rookie signal-caller for next season.

Spytek spent time breaking down what it actually requires for a young quarterback to succeed in the NFL.

“I think you’ve got to support them in many different ways,” he said, via Raider Nation Radio.

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek at press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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He pointed out that drafting a quarterback, handing him the Week 1 starting job, and expecting immediate success is not fair or realistic. Spytek went a step further and said organizations often set up young quarterbacks to fail more than the players fail on their own.

Whoever takes snaps under center for Las Vegas will need full organizational support. Patience remains a critical piece of developing young talent at the position.

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