Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who led Indiana to the College Football Playoff championship last season, is the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

In a surprising development, Mendoza has informed the league that he will not attend the draft, which is set to take place in Pittsburgh on April 23. Sources indicate that Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami.

Mendoza’s decision comes as a notable departure from tradition, especially considering the significance of being the top pick. The last time a top projected quarterback did not attend the NFL Draft was in 2021 when Trevor Lawrence was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

His mother, Elsa Mendoza, has lived with multiple sclerosis for over 15 years and is currently using a wheelchair, which adds a deeply personal dimension to his choice.

During the previous season, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, throwing 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions. His impressive performance led all Division I quarterbacks in touchdowns.

The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Mendoza first overall. The team hopes he can become the face of their franchise, regardless of when they eventually start him.

Mendoza met with the Raiders on Tuesday before the draft, further solidifying the anticipation surrounding his selection. His odds to be the first pick in the 2026 draft stand at an overwhelming -20000.

As the draft approaches, observers are eager to see how Mendoza’s decision will impact the event and the Raiders’ strategy moving forward. Details remain unconfirmed.