Top NFL prospect Fernando Mendoza says team suggested he get arrested to fall in the draft

1 week ago 19

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The projected apical prime successful the 2026 NFL Draft, erstwhile Indiana backmost Fernando Mendoza, said a squad enforcement suggested helium get arrested truthful that helium would descent down to that team's prime successful the upcoming draft.

Mendoza is projected to beryllium the No. 1 wide prime by the Las Vegas Raiders, but helium is inactive interviewing with different teams astatine the NFL combine.

Mendoza revealed the proposition a squad made to him astir getting arrested during an interrogation with CBS Sports connected Friday, erstwhile helium was asked astir the astir bizarre question helium got from teams astatine the NFL combine.

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Indiana Hoosiers quarterbacks Fernando and Alberto Mendoza lukewarm up earlier a game.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Alberto Mendoza (16) lukewarm up anterior to the crippled against the UCLA Bruins astatine Memorial Stadium connected Oct. 25, 2025, successful Bloomington, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

"It was, 'hey, possibly you should get arrested,' and I was a small confused, but past I was like, the descent ... truthful you could descent successful the draft," helium said.

Mendoza declined to uncover which squad made the suggestion.

Fernando and Alberto Mendoza are dressed successful their Indiana Hoosiers shot uniforms earlier a game.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Alberto Mendoza (16) locomotion connected the tract for warmups earlier the 2025 Big Ten Conference Championship crippled against the Ohio State Buckeyes astatine Lucas Oil Stadium connected Dec. 6, 2025, successful Indianapolis. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)

"So, hopefully I don't get arrested," helium added.

Mendoza is the hottest backmost imaginable this twelvemonth aft starring Indiana to the archetypal 16-0 play successful modern assemblage shot history, winning the nationalist title and the Heisman Trophy.

He finished the 2025 play with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and conscionable six interceptions.

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Indiana backmost Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the archetypal fractional of the College Football Playoff nationalist title game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, successful Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Other teams successful request of a backmost too the Raiders whitethorn not find galore answers successful this draft, aft Oregon backmost Dante Moore returned to assemblage for different year.

Other prospects, including Ty Simpson, Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier, are projected to beryllium lower-tier prospects erstwhile compared to Mendoza.

Indiana shot prima Fernando Mendoza explains wherefore dating took backmost spot during CFP rubric run

Jackson Thompson is simply a sports newsman for Fox News Digital covering captious governmental and taste issues successful sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited successful national authorities actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and successful bequest media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

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