The 2025 NFL Combine was set ablaze with Shedeur Sanders choosing not to throw at the Combine.

With the NFL Combine 2026 now fast approaching, top quarterback Fernando Mendoza is reportedly following in Sanders’ footsteps.

Fernando Mendoza is the preferred No.1 pick in this year’s draft. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2025 and took the Indiana Hoosiers to the National Championship while staying unbeaten.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Mendoza will not be throwing at the Combine, but instead throwing at Indiana’s pro day on April 1 with his own receivers, with whom he has better chemistry.

Mendoza was on The Pat McAfee Show, where he previously spoke on this topic.

“At the combine, you’re throwing to different receivers; it’s a whole different thing. And I want to make sure I give my guys the best chance," Mendoza said. "I want to throw at pro day with my guys, with my running backs, and be there with the boys.”

Mendoza is expected to be picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders. The No.1 pick has also expressed that he would be “blessed and honored” to play for the Raiders or any team that drafts him. Mendoza has also received the Davey O’Brien Award for the country’s top college quarterback.

Speaking at the event where he received the award, Mendoza reflected on how being drafted would be an emotional moment for him.

“I know at the draft, I’ll probably shed a tear or two just because it’s such a full-circle moment for me,” he said.  

Mendoza has had stellar stats with Indiana, throwing for 3,535 passing yards with a 72.0% pass completion rate and scoring 41 touchdowns.

Shedeur Sanders set the ball rolling for elite college quarterbacks

This time last year, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler had announced that Shedeur Sanders would not be throwing at the Combine, citing similar reasons as what Mendoza is now saying.

Reporting last year, Fowler had announced, "And the messaging teams have received, at least from Sanders' camp, is that he does want to highlight his Colorado receivers.

Fowler also added that coaches were still willing to make the trip down to Colorado to see Sanders throw. Before Sanders, other quarterbacks like the Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams and Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels had also skipped the Combine in the 2024 draft.

With Sanders having skipped the Combine, it looks like he has set the ball rolling for future college quarterbacks to throw in their college games instead.

What do you think about Mendoza's decision? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Kalp Thaker