Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, had one of the greatest college football seasons a quarterback has had in recent history with the Indiana Hoosiers last season.
Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Mendoza and the Hoosiers went 16-0, winning the Big Ten Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Rose Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Peach Bowl against the Oregon Ducks, and the College Football National Championship, defeating the Miami Hurricanes.
Following Indiana’s success in winning the program’s first national title, the team was invited to visit U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
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Hoosiers have been invited to visit the White House in Washington, D.C. on May 11, according to Daily Hoosier reporter Seth Tow.
On Saturday, Mendoza said he was unlikely to travel to the White House with his former teammates because he said May 11 was the first day of OTAs with the Raiders.
“If it’s the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m at the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said, according to Vegas Sports Today. “I have to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. As a rookie, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“As a rookie, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I can’t miss training."
Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza on visiting the White House with the Indiana Hoosiers.
🎥: @MikeDixon_VST #RaiderNation | #Raiders pic.twitter.com/hplAUZiuZl
– Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 2, 2026
The tradition of visiting the White House began in the 1800s, and the Indiana basketball team, undefeated in 1976, was the first men’s college basketball team to make the visit. College football teams have existed since 1961.
During Mendoza’s triumphant year with the Hoosiers, he won the Heisman Trophy and was a unanimous All-American after throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns en route to a perfect season.
Related: Fernando Mendoza makes first-ever move following Raiders decision
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