Fernando Mendoza makes heartfelt draft decision Indiana fans will love

With the college basketball season now officially over, the attention of college sports fans now turns to the NFL Draft to see where this year's top college football talent will go in the NFL. For Indiana, there is no doubt that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be going No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mendoza, though, will not be at the NFL Draft to reciever is jersey and hug from from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as the Indiana quarterback has made the decision not to attend.

Typically, top picks that go int he first round of the NFL Draft attend and get to be introduced on stage, receive a hat and jersey from the commissioner, as well as a bear hug, basking int he glory of a dream come true. For Mendoza, though, he is choosing to stay at home in Miami to celebrate the achievement, as reported by Adam Schefter.

This decision honestly should surprise anyone, and it certainly won't surprise Indiana fans, as Mendoza has always been very big on family. The Miami native wants to be able to celebrate the moment with everyone who got him to that point, and being at the draft, he probably wouldn't be able to do so.

The last time the No. 1 overall pick did not attend the NFL draft was back in 2021 when Trevor Lawrence was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Technically, in 2020, Joe Burrow also was not at the draft, but that was because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Goodell announced the picks from his basement.

Even though some people still believe there should be a debate of whether or not Mendoza or Alabama QB Ty Simpson should be taken No. 1, we are looking at you, Dan Orlovsky. It would be a major shock if Mendoza wasn't selected by the Raiders.

After a strong performance at his pro day at Indiana, Mendoza is ready to take that step into the NFL and help lead a franchise.