Fernando Mendoza Becomes the Third Independence Bowl Alumni to be Selected with First Overall Pick in NFL Draft

SHREVEPORT, La. (April 24, 2026) – As the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the bowl saw just its third former player selected with the first overall selection in the NFL Draft during Thursday night’s first round, as Fernando Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza joins two of the all-time great Independence Bowl alumni to be drafted number one in the NFL and becomes the first in over 20 years. He joins College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith, who was drafted first overall in 1985, and Eli Manning, who went first in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Mendoza enjoyed a historic season in 2025, leading the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated 16-0 record and their first National Championship in program history. Along the way, Mendoza completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also added 276 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Those gaudy numbers earned Mendoza a laundry list of awards and accolades during awards season. He became the first former Independence Bowl player to win the Heisman Trophy – college football’s highest individual honor. He also won the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Associated Press Player of the Year and was named the College Football Playoff National Championship Most Valuable Player.

Mendoza, who has been the surefire first-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft since the season ended, started at quarterback as a redshirt freshman for the California Golden Bears in the 2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. He passed for 261 yards and one touchdown against Texas Tech in that game, but the turnover bug bit him, as he threw three interceptions and lost one fumble against a Red Raiders’ defense that was led by 2023 Defensive Player of the Game Jacob Rodriguez, who is likely to be a second or third round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

ON THE DOCKET – 50th Anniversary Kickoff Party & Indy Bowl Overtime

Indy Bowl Overtime, hosted for the first time by the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in 2025, will serve as the official Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 50th Anniversary Kickoff Party.

The event is set for Thursday, May 7 at Community Bank of Louisiana, located at 3000 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71104. The 50th Anniversary Kickoff press conference will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl announcing plans to celebrate the bowl’s 50th anniversary throughout 2026, culminating with the game in December.

Following the press conference, the event will roll into the 2nd annual Indy Bowl Overtime after-hours networking event from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Lovers, a Shreveport-based Indie-Americana pop duo featuring Cole Vosbury and Amanda June, will perform from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Food will be available for the first 150 people, and Eagle Distributing and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. products will be available throughout the event.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.gov to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary set for 2026. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is a prominent presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.