Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, took a brief break from his duties with the Las Vegas Raiders to attend a graduation ceremony. This event did not take place at Indiana where he played college football, but at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal).
Mendoza originally missed a visit with his Indiana Hoosiers teammates to the White House, prioritizing his new role in the NFL. On a recent Saturday, he participated in Cal’s MBA commencement ceremony after being absent from their undergraduate ceremony the previous Wednesday.
Graduation Surprise
Jenny Chatman, dean of the Haas School of Business at Cal, permitted Mendoza to participate in the ceremony, even pausing to acknowledge it. She explained to the crowd that Mendoza utilized his business skills to secure an excellent job and compensation package, leading to his inability to attend the undergraduate ceremony.
“We have one Haas undergraduate student who couldn’t make it to commencement on Wednesday,” Chatman explained. “He used his Haas skills and coursework to negotiate an excellent job and an excellent comp package… help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza.”
The audience responded with enthusiasm as Mendoza walked the stage, accepting his degree in business administration and management. He completed this degree while also enrolled in a master’s program at Indiana in 2025.
Balancing Challenges
Mendoza successfully balanced his academic pursuits with a historic football season. He led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season, culminating in a national championship win against the Miami Hurricanes in his hometown.
This performance solidified his status as the top quarterback option in the draft. The Raiders, eager to secure their quarterback of the future, selected him first overall. Mendoza now focuses on contributing to his new team, with veteran Kirk Cousins also on the roster. Head coach Klint Kubiak has noted the optimal scenario is for Cousins to start initially, allowing Mendoza time to learn and develop.
White House Absence
Mendoza chose not to join his teammates for a White House visit celebrating their championship victory. President Donald Trump acknowledged Mendoza’s call to explain his absence, noting Mendoza’s commitment to his new NFL team.