After 132 years, the Indiana Hoosiers became the team that achieved perfection. They are the first program to cap off a perfect 16-0 season since Yale in 1894. The Hoosiers won over the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 for the Natty in enemy territory at Hard Rock Stadium. And a lot of the credit goes to Fernando Mendoza. His heroics had the GOAT and one of the Las Vegas Raiders’ owners, Tom Brady, on his heels, literally and figuratively.

With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Curt Cignetti took a gamble of a lifetime on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal. Mendoza rewarded that trust by sprinting 12 yards on a quarterback draw for the game-winning touchdown. He got hit twice and dived into the air in the final stretch, to the crowd’s disbelief. That image of his outstretched hands getting the touchdown is now etched in college football history.

Tom Brady was left totally stunned by what he saw. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler captured Tom Brady’s face on X with a caption that read: “Tom Approves.”

Brady’s reaction has everyone talking, especially since he has a stake in the Raiders. Watching from the sidelines, the GOAT couldn’t stop praising Mendoza’s performance and leadership. He mentioned that he “loves everything” about Mendoza’s playing style, and the young QB’s ability to manage pressure impressed him.

Las Vegas officially has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They fired their 74-year-old coach in Pete Carrrol after the team went 3-14 this season. The Raiders lost by double digits nine times. They also went 1-5 against their division opponent in the AFC West.

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Now, considering the season they just had, everyone knows they’re also desperate for a franchise quarterback after watching Geno Smith throw 17 picks. Who else is better than Mendoza? Only the Alabama fanatics will claim Ty Simpson, and some Vandy superfans will call for Pavia. But no sensible person can make an argument otherwise.

With this dub, Mendoza has essentially ended any debate about who should go first. 41 touchdowns a season screams NFL first-overall pick. He’s already won the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards, and now he has a National Championship ring to match his Heisman.

Oregon’s Dante Moore recently decided to stay in school after getting out-balled by Fernando Mendoza in the CFP semifinals. It’s safe to say that makes Mendoza the “last man standing” at the top of the draft board. Betting odds approve of this as he is now sitting as the clear frontrunner at -200 to be the first pick.

Along with Mendoza, a college football analyst is now calling for a package deal after watching Charlie Becker play.

Charlie Becker to the Raiders as the plus one for Fernando Mendoza

College football and NFL insider Nick Walters took it to X about the idea of drafting Charlie Becker as a go-to guy for the Raiders: “The #Raiders may want to think about drafting Charlie Becker to tie to Fernando Mendoza with this chemistry on display.”

Owners Mark Davis along with Brady were right there on the sidelines in Miami to watch this duo dismantle the Hurricanes’ defense in person. Strikingly, Mendoza and Becker have an uncanny psychic connection.

The Hoosiers’ #80 finished the night with four huge catches for 65 yards, but it was the timing that mattered most. In the fourth quarter, he hauled in a pair of clutch 19-yard receptions on critical third and fourth downs.

Even if you go further, he has been clutch throughout the season. After stepping into a bigger role mid-season, he turned into a security blanket for the Hoosiers. The 6’4″ wideout started the year buried on the depth chart, mostly playing special teams. But he exploded onto the scene in late October after star receiver Elijah Sarratt went down with an injury.

Since his first start against UCLA, he’s been virtually unstoppable. The Nashville native accounted for 30 receptions for 614 yards and led the team with an insane 20.5 yards per catch.

The value of a good safety blanket cannot be underestimated, and Brady knows this well. The GOAT’s best connection was always with his favorite tight end Rob Gronkowski as they crushed any defense that dared to stand against them. Although comparing Becker to Gronk can be a bit of a reach, the point still stands. A QB who has a good rhythm with one of his weapons can be a championship winning formula in the NFL. Just look at Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, or Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.

Mendoza and Becker are actually roommates who spent their entire summer throwing together at 7:00 a.m. every Sunday. However, Raiders fans will have to wait a bit longer to see this duo in the silver and black. Charlie Becker is not eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Since he is only a sophomore and just two years out of high school, NFL rules require Becker to stay in college for at least one more season before he can leap into the league in 2027. Yet, Mendoza’s play on the field will surely get the scouts looking to sign Becker as it could be an invaluable addition.