Raiders' Fernando Mendoza faces criticism from college football coach over NFL readiness

Leigh Steinberg, who has represented the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft a record eight times, gives his analysis on projected first pick Fernando Mendoza.

Fernando Mendoza skyrocketed to the top of every NFL pundit’s draft board during the 2025 college football season as the Indiana Hoosiers standout won the Heisman Trophy and led the school to a national championship.

Mendoza’s status stayed clean as the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. He will be tasked with returning the franchise back to glory under head coach Klint Kubiak and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is set to serve as Mendoza’s mentor.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs through a drill during a rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)

A detractor came out of the woodwork on Monday as an anonymous ACC coach told ESPN that he didn’t believe Mendoza had the "NFL traits." The coach competed against Mendoza when the quarterback was tossing the pigskin around for the Cal Golden Bears.

"He's a good decision-maker, but I don't think he's got the NFL traits," the coach told ESPN. "They're all back-shoulder (throws). That's not working in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off."

FERNANDO MENDOZA, THE NO 1 PICK OF NFL DRAFT TO THE RAIDERS, TASKED WITH RETURNING A LEGACY FRANCHISE TO GLORY

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza warms up during a rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (Candice