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EspañolFernando Mendoza will, most likely, be in silver-and-black by the time April 24 rolls round. That is, as long as doesn't end up in the back of a black-and-white.
The NFL combine is a time for prospects to meet with prospective employers, and those 32 NFL franchises have something of a reputation of asking questions and making statements that can be considered not only out of the box, but out of a box in left field.
On Feb. 27, Mendoza, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft sat down with CBS Sports and said that a representative from one team was – hopefully – joking when he suggested Mendoza should be arrested so he could slide down draft boards.
"It was, 'hey, maybe you should get arrested,' and I was a little confused, but then I was like, the slide ... so you could slide in the draft," Mendoza said when asked about the most bizarre question he fielded at the NFL combine.
Mendoza said it wasn't a team that he had a formal interview with, and opted not to name who it was.
"So, hopefully I don't get arrested," Mendoza said with a smile.
There's no denying that Mendoza has an arresting personality, and the talent the match. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner helped steer Indiana to its first national championship victory, setting himself up to be the first name called come the first round of the 2026 draft.
He finished the 2025 season with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. That production has labeled him the consensus No. 1 quarterback this year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza says team had bizarre request for him at NFL combine