'Absolutely Going to Succeed in the NFL': Why Joel Klatt Is All In on Fernando Mendoza

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is betting on himself before he ever takes an NFL snap.

The former Indiana quarterback has decided not to throw at this week's NFL Scouting Combine and will instead wait for more familiar surroundings at his pro day in April. 

FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt joined Colin Cowherd on Tuesday's edition of "The Herd" to discuss Mendoza’s future and break down the first edition of his newly released mock NFL draft.

"I think he's absolutely going to succeed in the National Football League," said Klatt, who's unbothered by Mendoza’s decision. "I'm a huge believer that … [quarterbacks have] to own the game from the pocket. You have to do that in the National Football League. You cannot run yourself into a Super Bowl. … When you look at Mendoza and his best performances and his most clutch performances in the most important parts of the season, what was he doing? Making huge throws from the pocket … late in the game, late in the down sequence. 

"I think he's accurate. He's a leverage thrower. … The best quarterbacks never throw 50/50 balls. They're always putting the percentage in the wide receiver's advantage because of the leverage that they throw with from a ball position and ball placement standpoint. … [Mendoza] does that. … For those two reasons — owning it from the pocket in big moments and being an anticipatory, leverage thrower — I think that this guy … is absolutely going to succeed."

It’s nearly a foregone conclusion that the Las Vegas Raiders — a franchise whose identity has historically been deeply rooted in its head coach and quarterback, which they're currently in desperate need of — will select Mendoza with the first overall pick, according to