The Las Vegas Raiders made Fernando Mendoza the first pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
It is the 10th time in 12 years that the honour has gone to a quarterback, and the fourth year in a row after Cam Ward, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young.
The Heisman Trophy winner completed 72 per cent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns as he led Indiana to a first national college championship.
The 22-year-old will be tasked with reviving the fortunes of a Raiders side who won only three games in 2025.
The New York Jets selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with their No2 pick, before the Arizona Cardinals opted for running back Jeremiyah Love.
Mendoza celebrated in Miami with his family on Thursday evening ahead of flying to Las Vegas on Friday.
For Mendoza it is a chance to learn from Raiders part-owner Tom Brady, who the 22-year-old grew up idolising.
Mendoza will be looking to end the barren Super Bowl run for first picks, with none of the previous nine yet to claim the sport’s biggest prize.
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