ESPN college football reporter Taylor McGregor took fans behind-the-scenes of Fernando Mendoza’s 2026 NFL Draft party while reporting live at his childhood home in Coral Gables, Fla.
Before the Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick in the draft, McGregor asked his little brother, Max, how he was feeling, as seen in a video on her Instagram Story.
“Very excited… got the suit, no tie, going rogue and I’m ready to see where he goes for his future job,” said Max, who showed his camcorder, which was labeled, “The Players’ Tribune.”
ESPN college football reporter Taylor McGregor took fans behind-the-scenes of Fernando Mendoza’s 2026 NFL draft party with his little brother, Max, while reporting live at his childhood home in Coral Gables, Fla. on April 23, 2026. Instagram/Taylor McGregor McGregor was reporting live from Mendoza’s family home, where he spent the draft with his loved ones.
Mendoza and his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis (MS) and uses a wheelchair, hugged on their couch before he put on his Raiders cap.
“The last 5 months have been such a blessing by God, I can’t thank him enough,” Mendoza told McGregor. “I’m just looking forward to get to work and prove at the next level.
“College was fantastic, I’m so blessed to have that career and now I step into a great game in the NFL. I’m looking forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
When asked about joining the Raiders, co-owned by future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, Mendoza said, “What a great organization, a great legacy. There are so many teammates I’m looking forward to talking to: coaches, owners. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Fernando Mendoza and his family share a moment as he gets drafted first overall by the Raiders in the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. X Brady welcomed Mendoza to Las Vegas in a X post after the first pick was announced.
“Welcome to Las Vegas @fernandomendoza. Time to get to work,” Brady said, including a message to the rookie class.
“Congratulations to all the rookies who are joining the NFL this weekend. I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you’ve earned it through hard work, discipline, and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey that has supported you. But this is just the beginning.
“When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career will be defined by what happens going forward. You’ll need to take everything you do to the next level in order to compete with the world’s best.”
Mendoza joins a quarterback room with a veteran in Kirk Cousins — who signed with the Raiders earlier this month — to serve as a mentor.
During a Wednesday appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Mendoza recalled his “fantastic” meeting with Brady while on an official 30 visit in Las Vegas.
“He gave me the message that he’s going to push me, and he’s not going to be all lovey-dovey – and that if the Raiders draft me, he is going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have — whether it’s me or whether they draft somebody else,” Mendoza said.
He added that he previously studied Cousins’ film from his Minnesota days.
