Stacy Boit,

The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 22-year-old was the overwhelming favourite for the honour, having been named the best player in college football last season, when he led Indiana to their first national championship.

He becomes just the third player to be the Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and the first overall draft pick in the same year, after Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020).

Mendoza did not attend the start of the three-day event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as he opted to share the moment with his family at home in Miami.

The strongest area in this year’s draft class was thought to be the defensive front and the New York Jets took pass rusher David Bailey with the second pick.

Yet the next two picks were both offensive players, with the Arizona Cardinals selecting running back Jeremiyah Love before the Tennessee Titans sprang a surprise by taking wide receiver Carnell Tate.

The New York Giants had two of the first 10 picks and bolstered on each side of the ball, taking pass rusher Arvell Reese at five and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at 10.

Mauigoa grew up in American Samoa and the 20-year-old paid homage to his homeland with a collage on the back of his suit jacket.

“I never thought I’d be here,” he said. “If I can do it, you can do it.”