April 24 (UPI) -- New Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza says he's still an underdog at the "bottom of the totem pole," despite leading the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza, once an overlooked high school prospect who went on to become a Heisman Trophy and national championship winner, spoke about his journey Thursday during a video conference with reporters.
"I believe I'm still the underdog," Mendoza said. "Although the draft was [Thursday], once I got drafted, I'm now part of the NFL. I can tell you right now, I am not No. 1 of 32. Although I was picked one out of 32, I am not one of 32 quarterbacks [in the NFL] at this moment.
"I need to work every single day possible because I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I've got to first earn the respect of my teammates, earn that equity. And I've got to immerse, and I'm ready to do whatever the team needs and calls me to do to help them win."
Mendoza said the "stars aligned" with his union with the Raiders and minority owner Tom Brady, who created one of the most famous underdog-to-legend stories in league history. He called Brady a "source of knowledge."
