Fernando Mendoza has had a remarkable last 12 months and the 22-year-old added another milestone on Thursday to his constantly growing resume: Becoming the top selection in the NFL draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected the Heisman Trophy quarterback with the first overall pick.
The 22-year-old, who was watching the draft in Coral Gables, Florida, along with his family, was emotional as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the selection.
In the last five months, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first national championship in program history, a perfect 16-0 record, to the university’s first Big Ten football title since 1967. He was also named the Associated Press Player of the Year.
“I’m just look forward to getting to work,” Mendoza told ESPN. “College was fantastic. I am so blessed to have that career but now I step into a great game, the NFL.”
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