Fernando Mendoza has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL draft since at least Dec. 13, the day he won the Heisman Trophy.

The Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in the draft. All indications are they will select the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback to lead the offense under new head coach Klint Kubiak.

Mendoza will make his Top 30 visit to Las Vegas this week. Ultimately, NFL teams may invite up to 30 non-local draft prospects for in-person interviews and medical evaluations.

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But analysts say the visit is less “get to know you” and more “let’s get started.”

“This feels kinda less like a formality and more like a preview of what’s to come,” said Alex Belcastro, a sports anchor at KSNV-TV News 3 in Las Vegas. “So take a good look at your quarterback. Reports say Fernando Mendoza has already started learning Klint Kubiak’s offense ahead of the draft.”

Meanwhile, ESPN NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah agrees. During an appearance on the March 27 episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Jeremiah said Mendoza is working with former NFL quarterback Brian Griese to learn the Raiders’ offense.

“Fernando Mendoza is working with Brian Griese right now, and it’s not so much that they’re working on footwork,” Jeremiah said, per SB Nation. “They’re installing the Raiders’ offense. He’s full speed ahead.”

In his only season at Indiana, Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record and the program’s first national championship. He completed 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards, an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Kubiak took the Raiders job after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Also, he and Griese worked together on the San Francisco 49ers staff in 2023.

The 2026 NFL Draft is April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. The first round is on ESPN and the NFL Network and streamed on the ESPN app at 8 p.m. ET April 23.

Earlier this month, United States President Donald Trump hosted the “Saving College Sports” roundtable at the White House. NCAA president Charlie Baker, numerous conference commissioners, and several collegiate coaches attended the event.

Just weeks later, Trump has formed five separate committees to cover legislation, rules, NCAA reform, media, and player issues. Per CBS Sports, meetings are expected to begin next week.

The committees are made up of former players, University Athletic Directors and Presidents, figures from in and around professional sports, and more. A few of the most notable names include former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, and 15-time Majors Champion Tiger Woods.

All five committees, and the list of their members, are below.

Legislative Committee

Rules Committee

*player reps will be added

NCAA Reform Committee

Media Committee

Player Issues Committee

*Player agent reps will be added

President’s Oversight Committee