Fernando Mendoza not attending 2026 NFL Draft

Field Level Media
10 Apr 2026, 21:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is not among the 16 prospects planning to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23.

There will be a large Big Ten Conference presence without the Heisman Trophy winner. Five of the six Big Ten prospects are Ohio State Buckeyes: linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles Jr., wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

Alabama and Miami (Fla.) each have multiple players scheduled to be in the green room.

Mendoza is projected to the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The Las Vegas Raiders pick first overall and the New York Jets are second.

The first round of the draft is held in primetime Thursday, April 23 with the second and third round the following night. Rounds 4-7 are completed Saturday.

Pittsburgh is hosting the NFL draft for the first time since 1948.

Players confirmed to attend the NFL draft:

1. David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech

2. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

3. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

4. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

5. Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

6. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

7. Makai Lemon, WR, Southern California

8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

9. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

10. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

11. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

12. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

13. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

15. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

--Field Level Media

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