After changing his LinkedIn status to “open to work” in January, Fernando Mendoza backed it up with a strong Pro Day performance. He already got all the hype he deserved with his Heisman win, a championship with Indiana, and now the major spotlight for his performance in front of 10 Raiders scouts at the Pro Day.

Fernando Mendoza completed 53 out of 56 passes, with only a couple of drops, showing great accuracy. He threw all these passes in just 20 minutes with only two short breaks, which also showed his stamina and focus. Mendoza even impressed scouts with his arm strength, easily throwing the ball 50–60 yards.

He is making sure he develops into his best form before turning pro, as he explains his mindset.

“I’m putting all of my efforts toward just trying to be the best quarterback possible for the season,” Mendoza said after the stunning display. “But I know at the next level, there’s going to be a lot more snaps under center, and that’s a big adjustment. I need to get used to that and just the nature of the game. Not only that, the hash marks are more condensed, and the speed of the game is faster. So all those things, I look forward to learning.”

Before starting, he warmed up with his college roommate and then performed in front of all 32 NFL teams, over 100 media members, and many families, friends, and teammates who came to watch him. He was not perfect, though. On one deep throw, he slightly overthrew Elijah Sarratt by a small margin, and a few passes fell incomplete.

But even with those inconsistencies, many analysts already predict him going to the Raiders. They have shown a very strong interest in Fernando Mendoza, and their actions clearly prove it. They have already met him at the NFL Combine, held a long Zoom meeting, and planned more meetings, including a Top-30 visit. They arranged dinner and whiteboard sessions with him, too.

At his Pro Day, the Raiders didn’t just send a scout; they sent top leaders like general manager John Spytek, head coach Klint Kubiak, and several staff members. This shows they are closely studying him and treating him like a top priority. Their coaching setup also fits Mendoza well. Klint Kubiak’s system focuses on play-action passes, taking snaps under center, and a structured passing game.

Another big reason for their interest is their weak quarterback situation. Geno Smith, who struggled and threw 17 interceptions, has been traded to the New York Jets. Backup Kenny Pickett has also left for the Carolina Panthers. Right now, Aidan O’Connell is the only quarterback left on the roster. This clearly shows the Raiders urgently need a new leader at the position.

Fernando Mendoza’s skills make him a perfect fit for the Raiders, too. Last season, he threw for 3,535 yards, scored 41 touchdowns, and made only 6 interceptions. He is also a “clean, crisp passer” who makes quick decisions and reads the defense well. On top of that, Mendoza also has great timing and ball placement.

Another big strength is his mindset. He stays calm in big moments and does not panic under pressure. So, it’s not just his Pro Day performance but also his overall skills and strength that make him an NFL-ready QB.

But at Pro Day, he wasn’t just focusing on his game; he also made sure his teammates got the exposure, too.

Fernando Mendoza makes his mindset clear

From the moment Fernando Mendoza joined Indiana, he has been nothing but supportive of his team, focusing on building relationships and pushing all of them forward into the spotlight. He did it again during Indiana’s Pro Day by throwing for 56 passes. For the 22-year-old, giving all his players equal opportunity mattered the most.

“I feel like it went great,” Mendoza said. “You know, quarterbacks have passed, have done shorter pro days than that. However, I just wanted to make sure everybody could showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams and really run routes that apply to the timing we’re going to be running in the NFL.”

Now, this wasn’t the first time any quarterbacks did less; Cam Newton just threw 30 passes in his Pro Day workout. So QBs often opt for fewer passes. But for Mendoza, it mattered more because he had a vision for his team.

His teammates also performed well during the Pro Day. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds showed his speed by running the 40-yard dash in just 4.31 seconds, which is very fast. RB Roman Hemby also spoke about Mendoza and praised him as a leader.

“That’s a guy that’s a great leader, a great person,” Hemby said. “He doesn’t have to do some of the things he does. He wanted to go out there and showcase the guys. That shows the type of person he is. That’s why we love him.”

Now, with this mindset, let’s wait and see how things turn around for him in the future.