English
EspañolMost football prospects testing at the 2026 NFL combine needed impressive performances – a fast 40-yard dash or spectacular catch in drills – to draw notable reactions from the crowd.
Fernando Mendoza is not most prospects.
The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana managed to draw a loud cheer from the crowd just by showing up at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 28. Mendoza, who is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, opted out of participating in drills at the combine.
Mendoza still joined the other quarterbacks on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium during his position group's on-field testing period on Feb. 28. When the production team at the field showed him on the in-stadium screen, the crowd cheered loudly.
After beginning his collegiate career with the California Golden Bears, Mendoza transferred to Indiana before the 2025 season. In his lone year with the Hoosiers, Mendoza won all 16 of his starts, and Indiana won the CFP National Championship – their first in program history.
The Indiana quarterback finished the 2025 season with a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions.
If their reaction in Indianapolis on Feb. 28 was any indication, Indiana fans will continue to support Mendoza even after he moves on to the next level. For Mendoza, just showing up at Lucas Oil Stadium during quarterback testing was enough to draw one of the loudest cheers from fans at the NFL combine.
In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, USA TODAY Sports' Jacob Camenker has the Las Vegas Raiders drafting Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL combine crowd goes wild for Fernando Mendoza's arrival