Fernando Mendoza, KC Concepcion earn NFL Combine invites

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and Hornung Award winner KC Concepcion highlight the list of eight Latinos invited to the 2026 NFL combine. 

Several mock drafts have predicted that Mendoza, who led Indiana to the national title last month, will be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Concepcion, the All-American wide receiver out of Texas A&M, is also predicted to go in the first round of the three-day NFL Draft, which will start on April 23 in Pittsburgh.

The NFL invited 319 prospects to the Combine, which will be held in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 through March 2. Mendoza and Heisman Trophy runner-up and SEC Offensive Player of the Year Diego Pavia are among 15 quarterbacks invited. 

Concepcion, who was an All-SEC selection as a receiver, returner and all-purpose, is one of 46 receivers invited.

Top linebackers

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and Texas A&M junior linebacker Taurean York were among 29 linebackers invited. Rodriguez won the Butkus and Lombardi Awards. York, a three-year starter and two-year captain, was an All-SEC selection and leader of the Aggies’ defense. 

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Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas is one of 27 tight ends invited. Cuevas helped Alabama reach the College Football Playoff semifinals against Indiana. He finished the season with 37 catches for 411 receiving yards and four touchdowns over 12 games.

Offensive lineman Fernando Carmona Jr. of Arkansas and Enrique Cruz Jr. of Kansas also were invited. Carmona, a 6-foot-5, 325-pounder from Las Vegas, was on the preseason Outland Trophy Watch List in 2025.

Cruz, a 6-foot-6, 320-pounder from Chicago, started all 12 games for Kansas at right tackle. He earned All Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. 

Record Texas A&M contingent

After helping Texas A&M reach the CFP for the first time in school history, Concepcion and York are part of a school-record 13 Aggies invited to the NFL Combine.

York led the Aggies in tackles with 73 in 2025. Concepcion led the Aggies with 12 all-purpose touchdowns. He had nine receiving touchdowns, two on punt returns and one rushing.

The junior transfer from NC State finished with career highs in catches (61) and receiving yards (919). Rodriguez helped Texas Tech reach the CFP for the first time in school history.

The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year had 128 tackles and four sacks in 2025. Rodriguez, who is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, also won the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Awards.