Tom Brady, Raiders Scout Fernando Mendoza Live at CFP Final amid Mike McDaniel HC Rumors

The Las Vegas Raiders are all hands on deck to get an in-person look at the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Tom Brady and majority owner Mark Davis was seen on the sidelines of the College Football Playoff Championship Game to presumably scout Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza:

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero first reported that Raiders officials would be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to scout Mendoza after a scheduled interview with Mike McDaniel earlier in the day.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders will also have an in-person interview in South Florida next week with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The Raiders own the top pick in the upcoming draft, with Mendoza widely believed to be the frontrunner for that selection.

B/R's NFL scouting department projected Mendoza to Vegas in its most recent mock draft released at the end of the NFL regular season.

"Mendoza is unflappable. When that trait is combined with his accuracy and ball placement in the clutch moments, he's more than worthy of hearing his named called first," B/R scout Dame Parson wrote about the 2025 Heisman winner.

After firing Pete Carroll as head coach following a 3-14 record this season, the Raiders have so far completed interviews with eight potential replacement candidates.

Kevin Stefanski, Matt Nagy, Klint Kubiak, Vance Joseph and Jeff Hafley are among those who have interviewed with the Raiders. Joe Brady and Klay Kubiak are scheduled to interview with the club on Sunday.

Stefanski is reportedly the favorite for the Atlanta Falcons' job.

McDaniel has been a very popular candidate as a potential offensive coordinator hire this offseason, but he has had head-coaching interviews with the Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans.

The Raiders would seem likely to prioritize a strong offensive mind as their next head coach, especially if they are going to make Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick. Tom Brady reportedly made a strong push for Ben Johnson last offseason before he decided to take the Chicago Bears' job.

McDaniel was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 8. He went 35-33 with two playoff appearances in four seasons with the club.

Mendoza is one win away from capping off one of the best individual seasons by a player in college football history. He has led the Hoosiers to a single-season record 15 wins, with their two playoff victories over Alabama and Oregon coming by a combined score of 94-25.

Indiana will play Miami in the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.