Fernando Mendoza has had a outstanding final 12 months and the 22-year-old added one other milestone on Thursday to his continuously rising resume: Becoming the prime choice in the NFL draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders chosen the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with the first general pick
The 22-year-old, who was watching the draft in Coral Gables, Florida, alongside with his household, was emotional as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduced the choice.
In the final 5 months, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first nationwide championship in program historical past, an ideal 16-0 file, to the college’s first Big Ten soccer title since 1967. He was additionally named the Associated Press Player of the Year and received the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s prime quarterback.
“I’m just look forward to getting to work, prove at the next level,” Mendoza informed ESPN. “College was fantastic. I am so blessed to have that career but now I step into a great game, the NFL. Looking forward to earning it every single day.”
Mendoza joins unique firm, changing into the fourth quarterback since 1967 to win the Heisman, a nationwide championship and be chosen No. 1, becoming a member of Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow and Cam Newton, based on ESPN.
Mendoza additionally grew to become the first quarterback the Raiders chosen with the prime pick since Jamarcus Russell in 2007.
On his technique to bringing a nationwide title to Bloomington, Indiana, the junior quarterback threw for two,980 yards and 33 touchdowns whereas including six extra scores on the floor final season.
Mendoza now heads to Sin City, the place he be a part of a quarterback room with newly signed Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell.
After the New York Jets chosen David Bailey with the second general pick, an edge rusher out of Texas Tech, the Arizona Cardinals had a trick up their sleeve.
The Cards took Notre Dame Jeremiyah Love with the third pick, making the 20-year-old, the highest chosen working again since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 in 2018.
Love shall be becoming a member of a rebuilding crew in the desert that didn’t have a 100-yard rusher final season.
“It’s just a blessing,” Love informed ESPN after being chosen. “I feel very honored to represent the running backs and I am going to put on for them. Put on for all football players, put on for Notre Dame, put on for my family. And lastly, put on for the Cardinals. We’re going to do special things together.”
Two Ohio State gamers rounded out the prime 5 with the Tennessee Titans taking extensive reciever Carnell Tate and the New York Giants deciding on linebacker Arvell Reese.
This story has been up to date with further reporting.