Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship last season at Indiana University, was selected as the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders when the 2026 NFL draft kicked off in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The star quarterback celebrated at home in Miami with his tight-knit family to make it easier for his mom Elsa who lives with MS and to be by her side on this life-changing night. NBC’s Kaylee Hartung reports for TODAY.

April 24, 2026 Fernando Mendoza Selected as Raiders No. 1 Pick at NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship last season at Indiana University, was selected as the No. 1 pick by the Las Vegas Raiders when the 2026 NFL draft kicked off in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The star quarterback celebrated at home in Miami with his tight-knit family to make it easier for his mom Elsa who lives with MS and to be by her side on this life-changing night. NBC’s Kaylee Hartung reports for TODAY. READ MORE Study Finds Rectal Cancer Deaths Rising in Younger Adults WATCH NOW Mike Vrabel Addresses Growing Scandal as More Pics Emerge WATCH NOW How This Wig Shop Empowers Women Experiencing Hair Loss WATCH NOW Saw it on TODAY 3RD HOUR OF TODAY How to Identify Causes of Headaches (and How to Treat Them) WATCH NOW TODAY WITH JENNA & SHEINELLE My Daughter Doesn't Have a Prom Date. Should I Help Find One? WATCH NOW SHOP TODAY Try This TODAY: Dylan Dreyer Visits Top of the Rock's Skylift, Plus How to Get Tickets SHOP NOW Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters Copyright © 2026 TODAY | 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 View in Browser | Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Privacy