Fernando Mendoza wasn’t fooling around at his Pro Day.
Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders later this month, wowed scouts and this ESPN analyst at his Pro Day on Wednesday.
“Never saw a QB during his pro day ….call out each receiver by name and announce what the route would be before he ran it during the entire workout like Mendoza did,” Louis Riddick posted to X.
Fernando Mendoza wowed bystanders at his NFL Pro Day. AP
Riddick is a former scout and Director of Player Personnel for the Eagles from 2010-13. Riddick interviewed for the Giants general manager opening in 2017, but ultimately remained with ESPN.
“Every route. WR’s, TE, RB’s. Seems insignificant, but it’s not. It was his show, in collaboration with his pass catchers,” Riddick wrorte on X.
“A certain GM was paying attention and noticed. One that is going to pick him. Everything matters.”
Riddick’s line about the executive who will “pick” Mendoza seemingly references Raiders general manager John Spytek making the trip to Bloomington, Ind. for the showcase.
Mendoza wowed at the Pro Day, according to all accounts, completing 53 of his 56 throws and his first 23.
His likely future head coach, Klint Kubiak, was also in attendance to see the signal caller work his magic, and it appears he made a significant statement.
Mendoza skipped the NFL Combine, so this is the first time we’ve really seen him in public since he helped lead Indiana to its first national title by besting Miami in the championship game.
Lous Riddick is a former scout and once interviewed to be the Giants general manager. Getty Images
The Raiders will be on the clock first come April 23, where they won’t have much thinking to do when they submit the first card with Mendoza’s name on it.
The Raiders hope to take major steps forward in 2025 after firing Pete Carroll after just one season and spending big on their offensive line to give Mendoza the help he needs to succeed.
