Fernando Mendoza can join exclusive list of Heisman winners to become top NFL draft pick

It’s been quite a year for Fernando Mendoza.

The Indiana quarterback earned the two biggest prizes in college football: the Heisman Trophy and a national title. He first lifted the Heisman as the top player in the nation in December, then guided the Hoosiers to a College Football Playoff National Championship victory in his hometown of Miami — against Miami, no less — in January.

After a few months to celebrate his collegiate accomplishments, Mendoza is getting ready to launch his professional career. The 22-year-old is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, a selection that belongs to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Should Mendoza land in Las Vegas, he will enter a storied list of Heisman winners to double-up as No. 1 picks.

Before the Raiders make their selection, here’s a look at the company Mendoza can join as a Heisman winner and top draft pick.

Players to win the Heisman Trophy and be a No. 1 NFL draft pick

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, 25 Heisman Trophy winners became No. 1 NFL draft picks:

• 1936: Jay Berwanger, HB, Philadelphia Eagles
• 1941: Tom Harmon, HB, Chicago Bears
• 1943: Frank Sinkwich, HB, Detroit Lions
• 1944: Angelo Bertelli, QB, Boston Yanks
• 1950: Leon Hart, TE, Detroit Lions
• 1957: Paul Hornung, QB, Green Bay Packers
• 1960: Billy Cannon, HB, Los Angeles Rams
• 1962: Ernie Davis, HB/LB/FB, Washington
• 1963: Terry Baker, QB, Los Angeles Rams
• 1969: O.J. Simpson, HB, Buffalo Bills
• 1971: Jim Plunkett, QB, New England Patriots
• 1978: Earl Campbell, RB, Houston Oilers
• 1980: Billy Sims, RB, Detroit Lions
• 1981: George Rogers, RB, New Orleans Saints
• 1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
• 1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2003: Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2010: Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams
• 2011: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
• 2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns
• 2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
• 2020: Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
• 2023: Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
• 2024: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

*Bo Jackson was drafted first overall in the 1983 NFL Draft but chose to play baseball with the Kansas City Royals instead of football with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs forfeited his rights before the 1987 NFL Draft and the Los Angeles Raiders selected him in the seventh round with the 183rd pick.

The Las Vegas Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick after going 3-14. Behind them, there are more than a dozen teams looking to change their fortunes heading into next season.

No. 1 overall picks who returned to college after winning the Heisman

While many Heisman winners go straight into the NFL draft, others with eligibility stay in school for another year.

Billy Sims, Sam Bradford, Jameis Winston, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams all won the Heisman, returned to college for one more season and then became No. 1 overall draft picks.

No. 1 picks who won the Heisman and a national championship in the same year

Mendoza can become the fifth player to complete the following football trifecta in one year: win the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship and go first overall in the ensuing draft.

Angelo Bertelli and Leon Hart accomplished the feat at Notre Dame. It was more than six decades before Cam Newton followed suit with Auburn and the Carolina Panthers. Joe Burrow is the most recent player to win the Heisman and a national championship on his way to becoming a No. 1 pick, doing so at LSU and getting selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 draft.

Winston was close to joining this list. He won the Heisman and national championship at Florida State during the 2013 season, but he returned to Tallahassee for another season and was taken first by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015.

The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes to win the College Football National Championship.