Fernando Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, balanced his commitments by participating in a graduation ceremony for Cal’s MBA program last weekend. He temporarily left the Las Vegas Raiders to celebrate this milestone.
Mendoza had previously missed the undergraduate ceremony at Cal as he focused on his NFL duties with the Raiders. The dean of the Haas School of Business, Jenny Chatman, allowed Mendoza to join the MBA ceremony as an exception, even though it was intended for graduate students.
“We have one Haas undergraduate student who couldn’t make it to commencement on Wednesday,” Chatman announced to attendees. “He had a great reason. He used his skills from Haas to negotiate a top job with an excellent compensation package,” she added.
The crowd cheered as Mendoza accepted his degree in business administration and management. His smile was broad as he crossed the stage to collect his diploma.
Balancing academics and sports, Mendoza completed his degree while also leading Indiana to a historic undefeated season and a national championship win against Miami. His performance solidified his status as the top quarterback in the draft, making him the first overall pick by the Raiders.
The Raiders plan for Mendoza to learn under veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Head coach Klint Kubiak intends for Cousins to start while Mendoza develops.
Due to his commitment to the Raiders, Mendoza skipped the White House ceremony celebrating Indiana’s national title. President Donald Trump mentioned that Mendoza called to explain his absence, expressing support for the team’s accomplishments.
This decision highlights Mendoza’s focus on his new NFL role and his determination to make an impact with the Raiders.
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