Day 5 of the NFL Combine consisted of quarterbacks, running backs and receivers speaking to the media, with all eyes on podium five at 8 a.m. ET for a chance to hear from projected top pick Fernando Mendoza.

You've heard the story before. The two-star high school prospect from Miami, Florida, only has one FBS scholarship offer to the California Bears. Three years later, he transfers to Indiana where he wins the Heisman Trophy and leads the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 seasons and their first national championship in school history.

And the icing on the cake, the championship game, with Raiders general manager John Spytek and owner Mark Davis in attendance, was in his backyard at Hard Rock Stadium.

"If you're disciplined and you can really stay consistent, then you're going to be able to rise in the rankings," Mendoza said. "And I think that's something I really prided myself on whether I was at Cal, whether I was at Indiana ... I think I was the 134th quarterback coming out of my own class in high school. And I was raw, that was a true ranking. I was terrible. So it's all about the small ones every day and it's all about discipline."

Staying on course has led Mendoza to being projected as the Raiders' pick in the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 1 overall. He confirmed he had a formal interview with the Silver and Black this week, describing it as a "fantastic meeting."

"I would say that they're very football savvy," Mendoza said of his first impression of the Raiders staff. "They're very football savvy which is great to see. They taught me a play and they had their whole progression of how they teach the quarterbacks to play and it was very similar [to] how my Indiana progression was.

"Because I'm a very Type-A guy and they had all the details of each play, what to do if you get a problem with each play, which drop, what's your progression. And that's something I really enjoy."

The quarterback also spoke of a dream scenario for him in being associated with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, one of his all-time favorite players growing up.

"I mean, who hasn't admired Tom Brady?" Mendoza said with a smile. "He has more Super Bowls rings than anybody. So that opportunity would be fantastic. I believe Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all-time by a wide margin. And to be able to the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much."

Mendoza's top targets at Indiana later took the stage. Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. are regarded as exceptional receivers in their own right within this draft class. Mendoza connected with the duo for 1,767 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025, and both were Second-Team All-Big Ten selections.

During their podium interviews, they sang the praises of their college quarterback, sharing what they believe he can add to a NFL roster.

"Whoever drafts Fernado Mendoza is getting a great leader," Cooper said. "A great down to earth guy, someone who loves football as well and he's going to do whatever it takes to help his team win. And he showcased that this year. He's going to put his body on the line just because of how much he loves football and then loves his teammates."

"They're going to expect a dog, first of all," Sarratt said of expectations for Mendoza. "No matter what happens to him, no matter how much he gets hit, he's going to continue to get up and he's a great guy. As good of a football player he is, he's a better guy. ... We already know what he can do on a football field, he can make every single throw. But to see him deal with all that and still be the guy who he is, it's just a testament to who he is and how he was raised."

As for Mendoza, the feeling is mutual toward Cooper and Sarratt, who helped wrapped a bow on a season that seemed gifted from the heavens.

"Those are two guys that made this year special," Mendoza said. "They were a huge part to me committing to Indiana, having such an elite receiver core. I believe those guys deserve more love, Elijah and Omar are two of the best receivers in the nation. ...

"No matter what happens, hopefully I end up with them on an NFL team one day, but I'm very fortunate those are my brothers for life."