All articles tagged with #heisman trophy
Sherman Lewis, a Michigan State All-American who later became a longtime NFL assistant and offensive coordinator for the 49ers, Packers, Vikings, Lions, and Washington, has died at 83. A three-time Big Ten track champion and 1963 Heisman finalist, Lewis started his pro career in the CFL and AFL before a lengthy coaching career that included 13 years at Michigan State and a prominent stretch as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator under Mike Holmgren.
Orlando-area defensive back Charles Woodson Jr. has committed to play for Michigan for the 2027 season, continuing the Woodson family legacy in Ann Arbor.
Baltimore signs undrafted Heisman finalist Diego Pavia to a three-year deal ahead of rookie minicamp, giving the former Vanderbilt QB a real chance to compete for a roster spot behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley after a record-setting college career.
The Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted Heisman finalist Diego Pavia to a three-year contract and also agreed to a three-year deal with undrafted QB Joe Fagnano, adding youth to the quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson after Pavia impressed at minicamp.
Undrafted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, a former Heisman finalist, is headed to Baltimore Ravens rookie camp and has CFL interest via Winnipeg's negotiation list. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound dual-threat flashed big college production (3,539 passing yards on 70.6% with 29 TDs vs 8 INTs and 862 rushing yards with 10 rushing TDs in 2025), but size and some mechanical concerns complicate a long NFL transition, making his pro future uncertain in either league.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, a Heisman finalist, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft amid height and NFL-readiness questions, drawing public support from Deion Sanders (and his son) as he remains unsigned; he still has a path as an undrafted free agent and reportedly joined the Ravens’ rookie minicamp shortly after publication.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, the 2025 Heisman Trophy runner-up, went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft—the first Heisman finalist to miss the draft since 2014—amid concerns about his size and NFL projection; he’s expected to sign as an undrafted free agent and compete for a roster spot.
Tom Flores blessed quarterback Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15, the same number Flores wore in the Raiders’ early days, signaling a bridge between the franchise’s past and its 2026 draft-class future. Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, thanked Flores and pledged to honor Raider Nation, while Flores jokingly praised him as perfect (and handsome). The Raiders do not retire numbers, and Mendoza will become the 11th Heisman Trophy winner to play for the Raiders, with a shared Latino heritage linking Flores, Mendoza and former Raider legends.
Tom Brady congratulated all NFL rookies and saluted Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ No. 1 draft pick, who watched the selection from Miami. Mendoza—an Indiana standout and Heisman winner who led a 16-0 season and a 2025 national title—enters Vegas with high expectations, while veteran Kirk Cousins is in place for now and Klint Kubiak leads the new-era coaching staff as Mendoza waits in the wings at QB1.
Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick, says he’s still the underdog and at the bottom of the totem pole, pledging to earn teammates’ respect daily while absorbing Klint Kubiak’s West Coast offense and using the Raiders’ playmakers to prove himself after a college path that included Cal, Indiana, and a Heisman-winning 2025 season.
Las Vegas selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after a Heisman-winning, national-championship season at Indiana; Mendoza joins a Raiders QB room with Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell and could benefit from mentorship from Tom Brady, as the draft featured multiple trades and highlighted first-round selections such as David Bailey (Jets), Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals), Carnell Tate (Titans), Arvell Reese (Giants) and Ty Simpson (Rams).
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft; Mendoza says he still sees himself as the underdog and plans to work daily to earn teammates' respect, learn Klint Kubiak's West Coast system, and do his part to get the ball to playmakers and help the team win.
With the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to its first national championship and an undefeated season in 2025 (3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns on 72% completion, plus an 8:0 TD-to-INT ratio in the playoffs), becoming the Raiders’ fifth Heisman winner drafted; Mendoza previously starred for California with 4,712 passing yards and 30 TDs.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the new face of the Las Vegas Raiders. In an SB Nation interview, he reflects on a blessed journey from a two-star recruit, explains his 'PIMP' pre-snap process (Protection, Intent, Mechanics, Problems), and emphasizes competitive toughness and emotional intelligence as core traits. He discusses his leadership, faith, family support, and off-field work with Pfizer promoting cancer screenings and MS fundraising with his brother. Mendoza plans to watch the draft at home in Miami with his village, aiming to start his NFL career as an efficient, 'point guard' for his future team.
Indiana Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza announced he will skip the 2026 NFL Draft to stay home with his family because his mother has multiple sclerosis; he’ll watch the draft from Miami with loved ones, while cameras will capture his reaction if he's selected No. 1 by the Las Vegas Raiders.