The Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza continues to be put into the greatness category.
When Curt Cignetti, his former Indiana coach, appeared as a guest on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Wednesday, Cignetti wasn’t shy to call his quarterback great and say, “You learn from the great ones.”
Eisen was quick to ask Cignetti what he learned after coaching Mendoza for one year, to which he replied, “The level of detail and preparation, and how it never ends,” Cignetti said. “The way he played, and the toughness he displayed, really pulled that team together, and he was a great team guy.”
Mendoza’s attention to detail, preparation and toughness were on display when Indiana won the NCAA championship against Miami, 27-21.
Mendoza was 16-of-27 passing for 186 yards but perhaps had the most iconic moment of his college football career when he scored a 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-5 in the fourth quarter.
Leading 17-14, Mendoza snapped the ball and immediately kept it on a quarterback keeper, running up the middle. Immediately, Miami defenders hit him, but his legs kept going and wouldn’t be stopped until he scored the game-winning touchdown by diving into the end zone.
“The guy is a lion as a competitor; he is ferocious, tough,” Cignetti said. “He makes plays with his arms and his legs.”
Displaying toughness, pulling the team together and being a great team guy are what the Raiders are expecting from Mendoza, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Since 2000, the Raiders have been riding the quarterback carousel. There have been many hopefuls, including JaMarcus Russell, Derek Carr and Geno Smith.
But after going 3-14, the Raiders parted ways with Smith, paving the way for Mendoza.
Heading into his rookie year, Mendoza is competing with veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting spot.
Cignetti said he expects Mendoza to be great. The QB grew up worshipping Tom Brady, the Raiders’ minority owner and former Patriots legend.
“I’ve never been around a guy in 45 years that prepared like he did,” Cignetti said. “I mean, he covered every base and then some. I learned from him.”
