Fernando Mendoza’s Throws on Pro Day Impresses Raiders GM and Dan Orlovsky

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza took part with all of his Draft eligible Indiana teammates at their Pro Day.

Fernando Mendoza’s Throws on Pro Day Impresses Raiders GM and Dan Orlovsky

Fernando Mendoza and Dan Orlovsky (Image via The QB School/X)

In Short
  • Fernando Mendoza impressed NFL executives with his performance at Indiana's Pro Day.
  • Raiders GM John Spytek and analyst Louis Riddick praised Mendoza's throwing ability.
  • Mendoza emphasized teamwork by allowing his teammates to showcase their skills during the Pro Day.

Over the past few months, all eyes and ears have been trained on anything related to Fernando Mendoza after every other mock draft had him as the top pick this year.

To go No. 1 overall comes with immense pressure, and many have crumbled in the face of it. But the Indiana Hoosiers’ star has proven that he has the skill and level-headed approach to stand up to it.

His college resume is such that no other quarterback is being touted to be even close to him, as the tape and the maturity with which he presents himself scream franchise cornerstone.

Some, such as Dan Orlovsky, might disagree, as he felt that Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson was the better overall prospect. But that suggestion has come with a lot of blowback.

It so happens that Mendoza himself obliterated Simpson and his teammates in the Rose Bowl, which many argue is proof that the former stepped up, while the latter choked in a do-or-die game.

Despite all that drama, Simpson’s draft stock has not moved much, and neither has the Heisman Trophy winner’s, who many believe is still the de facto No. 1 pick.

However, the 22-year-old did not throw at the Combine, which is why GMs, executives, and analysts lined up at Indiana’s Pro Day to have a good look at him.

Was standing with/talking to Raiders GM John Spytek when he launched this throw…safe to say we were impressed.

Louis Riddick revealed on X

The ESPN analyst believes that with that one throw alone, Fernando Mendoza was able to make an impression on the one person in that practice facility that mattered.

Dan Orlovsky admits Fernando Mendoza is a good quarterback

While Louis Riddick and the Raiders’ GM John Spytek were impressed with Fernando Mendoza’s throws, someone else was also watching the Indiana Pro Day.

Fernando Mendoza after winning the CFP National Championship
Fernando Mendoza after winning the CFP National Championship (Image via Reddit CFB/X)

I’m not a massive Pro Day person, these guys should look good. I’ve seen him throw the ball well… Yeah, it’s a good throw… Seems like he is throwing the ball down the field, which is a strength of his… I think he is a pretty good player.

Dan Orlovsky said

After all his efforts to promote Ty Simpson over the National Championship-winning QB, the ESPN analyst admitted on the Pat McAfee Show that Mendoza was a good player.

There was a hint of sarcasm as Orlvosky is probably still feeling the effects of facing the backlash he faced for promoting Simpson. But he did point out that Mendoza was taking snaps under center, something he would be required to do in the NFL.

Since college players hardly do that, the effort to simulate those plays during his Pro Day shootaround left Dan Orlovsky impressed.

Fernando Mendoza wanted to highlight all his teammates

Videos from Indiana’s Pro Day show a lot of people lining up the sidelines. With a lot of NFL staff there, Fernando Mendoza revealed why he was doing things that were usually done in the professional league.

We had nine eligible guys coming out for the draft, which is a lot more than normal… Quarterbacks in the past have done shorter pro days than that. We just want to make sure everybody can showcase their abilities in front of all 32 NFL teams.

Fernando Mendoza told reporters

Such things are uncommon during Pro Days, as every player essentially works for his own good. But the Boston native felt that it was important for all his NFL Draft-eligible teammates to get an opportunity to show their skills.

This was different from what Ty Simpson has been doing, and that is to drum himself up on the draft board. As Louis Riddick mentioned later on X, being a team player is something that might end up making Mendoza the No. 1 pick after all.

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