Fernando Mendoza: Throwing at pro day about helping teammates

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the presumptive top pick in this year’s NFL draft, explained his decision not to throw during the draft, saying he preferred to take the opportunity to help his Hoosiers teammates at a pro day.

Mendoza said Friday on the “Pat McAfee Show” that throwing at the combine was not a “priority” and that he was more focused on throwing to “his guys.”

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

“The combine, I don’t think throwing will be a priority just because the turnaround is so quick.”

Mendoza previously said he would attend the meeting in Indianapolis, which will take place from February 23 to March 2, but would not participate in the exercises.

He turned pro after a historic season with the Hoosiers. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy last season while Indiana went undefeated and won the national title – all firsts in program history.

He is one of the big favorites to be chosen No. 1 by the Las Vegas Raiders. Raiders majority owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek were all on the Indiana sideline for the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the CFP national championship game.

Asked about the possibility of joining the Raiders — and the planned hiring of Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as coach — Mendoza told the “Pat McAfee Show” that he remains focused on the draft process. He praised Kubiak’s development of Sam Darnold and called Brady “my huge football idol.”

Some of “his guys” from Indiana joining Mendoza in the NFL draft are receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt. Both were projected as second-round picks in Matt Miller’s mock draft this week.

Information from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach was used in this report.