The Best and Worst Throws From Fernando Mendoza's Pro Day

MORE: Gilberto Manzano’s NFL Mock Draft 2026: Cardinals, Titans Prioritize Playmakers | Albert Breer’s Takeaways: Raiders Have Done Their Homework on Fernando Mendoza

Fernando Mendoza didn’t need to throw at Indiana’s Pro Day. His status as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft was already a lock, but he selflessly opted to participate at the workout in Bloomington in order to help out his Hoosier teammates that are also looking to leave an impression on scouts ahead of the draft.

It was a somewhat risky decision from Mendoza, though he’ll walk away from the afternoon feeling confident about his choice. Mendoza was sharp in front of the large audience of scouts and executives who made the trip out to Indiana to watch him and his comrades. In all, he completed 53 of the 56 passes he attempted and was connecting with his receivers across various ranges, including some impressive deep balls.

Mendoza looked the part of a No. 1 pick and a franchise quarterback of the future, and Raiders fans will walk away from Wednesday’s workout with nothing but confidence about the 22-year-old.

So, let’s turn to the tape and analyze some of the best (and the worst) throws from Indiana’s national champion quarterback.

Fernando Mendoza’s best throws at Indiana Pro Day

Mendoza can make every throw in the book, and he flexed some pinpoint accuracy on this deep ball to EJ Williams, who hauled it in without a hitch. A truly fantastic throw from Mendoza, but not his only highlight play of the afternoon.

NEW: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the throw of the DAY…

Mendoza uncorked this deep ball to EJ Williams.

Absolutely money 😳 pic.twitter.com/AJHDOK8kZx
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 1, 2026

Mendoza was hitting throws all across the field, too. Whether his receiver was cutting inwards or making a break down the sideline, Mendoza was poised and putting the ball right in the breadbasket of his receivers. Here’s a look at a few mid-to-long range throws that Mendoza put on the money for his guys.

JUST IN:

Fernando Mendoza!

He’s making all the throws and as of right now he HASN’T missed one throw here at Pro Day!

The Heisman Trophy winner having himself a day! @WISHNews8 @IUHoosiers pic.twitter.com/SHotsov8J7
— Anthony Calhoun 📺 (@ACwishtv) April 1, 2026

Mendoza linked up with Williams on a number of deep passes, including this one below which is another spot-on pass from the projected No. 1 pick. By the time Williams breaks downfield and turns his head, the ball is already en route and tracking right for his outstretched hands. A thing of beauty, really.

Here’s a look at a deep ball from Fernando Mendoza to EJ Williams Jr.

Williams might not be as highly touted of a prospect as Sarratt or Cooper Jr, but could be an underrated piece for an NFL team.#iufb pic.twitter.com/09nvaYWcVy
— Colin McMahon (@ColinMcMahon31) April 1, 2026

There weren’t many bad throws out of Mendoza, though he did overthrow Elijah Sarratt on a deep ball once and had another pass dropped. Still, this isn’t exactly the most difficult of environment to be accurate in, running scripted plays and throwing to uncovered wide receivers he's highly familiar with.

Here’s a look at one of his rare miscues, and he really only missed Sarratt by about a step on this deep throw.

Fernando Mendoza overthrows Elijah Sarratt on go ball 60 yards down field pic.twitter.com/5jqkJ0T8Ao
— Michael Niziolek (@michaelniziolek) April 1, 2026

Mendoza spoke to reporters briefly after the workout, admitting that while he felt some nerves heading into Indiana’s Pro Day, he felt that was a sign he was ready for the moment.

“The main goal today was to serve my teammates, and I think that I was able to do that. Be able to put them in a position where they’re able to make plays, show what they’ve got. Very excited for them and the future, and like I said, I’m just trying to be the best quarterback come September. So, today was cool, and yeah there was a little bit of nerves right before, but those nerves means I’m ready. And those nerves I turned into energy towards the workout and to be a better quarterback. So in that sense, there were nerves, but for me it wasn’t very high stakes, it was having fun with the guys,” Mendoza said, via Anthony Calhoun of WISH-TV.

Fernando Mendoza had an impressive Pro Day!

I asked him about the “nerves” and pressure of throwing in front of those #NFL teams.

“Those nerves means I’m ready” @WISHNews8 pic.twitter.com/xeyySvdN2g
— Anthony Calhoun 📺 (@ACwishtv) April 1, 2026

With the NFL draft just weeks away, this will likely be the last time scouts get a glimpse of Mendoza before he is selected, almost undoubtedly with the No. 1 pick. The Raiders had plenty of members of the organization in attendance for his Pro Day, including new head coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek, among others.