Fernando Mendoza highlights deep Latino NFL Draft crop

Following a historic 2025 campaign at Indiana, Fernando Mendoza became one of only a few quarterbacks in college football history to secure a Heisman Trophy, an undefeated season and a national championship in the same season. Barring an unforeseen change, the Cuban American from Miami will likely to be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza relies on a humble mindset to navigate the noise that comes with being the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

“It’s really easy to get ‘fat and happy’ when you’re receiving all this praise. … Every single day, I have to stay humble and hungry,” Mendoza told reporters following Indiana’s Pro Day. 

Mendoza headlines arguably the largest and best group of Latino prospects ever to be picked in the same NFL Draft. At no time in NFL history have the Heisman, Lombardi and Hornung Award winners all been Latino entering the NFL Draft. 

Heisman winner appears Vegas bound

Here are the top Latino prospects heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, which starts Thursday night in Pittsburgh. 

Fernando Mendoza | Quarterback | Indiana 

If selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1, Mendoza will become the first Hoosier quarterback and only the third Latino to be selected first overall. 

The All-American quarterback from Miami appears set to join former Stanford quarterback Jim Plunkett and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young as the third Latino drafted No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.

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Mendoza threw for 41 touchdowns and 3,535 yards as a redshirt junior, which helped move him to the top of this year’s quarterback class.

KC Concepcion does it all

KC Concepcion | Wide Receiver | Texas A&M 

Mendoza may not be the only Latino to be selected in the first round. Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion emerged as a multi-purpose threat. He was the first Aggie in at least 50 years to record a receiving, rushing and punt return touchdown in a single season. 

After finishing 2025 with nine receiving touchdowns, 919 yards, and two punt returns for touchdowns, Concepcion was honored with the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player.

His ability to impact the game from anywhere on the field makes him a target for NFL teams seeking a dynamic playmaker.

Tackling machines

Jacob Rodriguez | Linebacker | Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez became known as one of the best defensive players in college football as a senior at Texas Tech. The linebacker anchored a Red Raiders team that secured its first Big 12 Championship in program history.

He had 128 tackles and four interceptions as a redshirt senior in 2025. Rodriguez also forced seven fumbles, which tied an NCAA single-season record. In 2025, he earned both the Butkus Award as the country’s top linebacker and the Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football. He also won the Lombardi Award. 

With elite instincts and the ability to track the football, Rodriguez is projected as a second-round selection. 

Taurean York | Linebacker | Texas A&M

In 2025, Taurean York led an Aggie defense that helped push Texas A&M to an 11-2 finish, including a 7-1 record in the SEC. The true junior from Temple, Texas, was a three-year starter and two-year captain for one of the best programs in the country. 

York started every game in three seasons in College Station. In his final season as a junior, he racked up a team-high 72 tackles and was named Third Team All-SEC.

Pavia, Aguilar await calls

Diego Pavia | Quarterback | Vanderbilt 

A native of New Mexico, Diego Pavia joined Mendoza as a Heisman finalist in 2025. He earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors after throwing for a Vanderbilt record 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns. 

At 5-foot-9, Pavia relied on his toughness and elite playmaking outside the pocket during his college career. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described him as a quarterback who “plays bigger than his measurables.”

Joey Aguilar | Quarterback | Tennessee

Joey Aguilar has made a mark wherever he has played in his college career. The 6-foot-3 quarterback with Mexican and Puerto Rican roots won the 2023 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year award and was a 2024 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention while at Appalachian State. 

After transferring to the University of Tennessee in 2025, he threw for an SEC-best 3,565 passing yards and ranked fourth in the conference with 24 touchdowns.

Tough tight end, linemen

Josh Cuevas | Tight End | Alabama 

In his final season at Alabama, Josh Cuevas established himself as a reliable pass catcher. The senior tight end from Los Angeles caught 37 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns. He helped Alabama reach the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. lists Cuevas as the No. 9 tight end prospect.

Fernando Carmona Jr. | Offensive Line | Arkansas

Fernando Carmona Jr. is one of two Latino linemen draft prospects who can add value in the trenches. The 6-foot-4 guard spent two seasons at San Jose State before transferring to Arkansas as a redshirt junior in 2024. 

Carmona started every game he appeared in throughout his Razorback career. He was part of an offensive line that helped Arkansas average over 450 yards per game in back-to-back seasons.

Enrique Cruz, Jr. | Offensive Line | Kansas

Enrique Cruz Jr. has proved to be one of the most explosive linemen in the 2026 class. He posted the third-best athleticism score (91) among all tackles at the NFL Combine. Cruz started every game at right tackle for Kansas in 2025. He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2025.