Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia Headline List of Players Invited to 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

Despite being universally projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Indiana star quarterback Fernando Mendoza will get the chance to showcase his skills for prospective teams later this month.

Mendoza headlines a list of 319 prospects who have been invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 2, the league announced on Wednesday.

Other notable players on the invite list for the NFL Scouting Combine include:

• Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
• Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC
• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
• David Bailey, DL, Texas Tech
• Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami
• Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
• Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State

Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to an undefeated season and its first national championship in program history. He's the only quarterback considered worthy of a top-10 pick in this year's draft class.

The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. They moved on from head coach Pete Carroll and hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as his replacement. B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its latest mock draft that Mendoza will be a perfect fit for the new regime in Sin City.

"Mendoza brings stability to the Raiders' quarterback position," B/R NFL scout Dame Parson said. "He is an uber-accurate passer, with outstanding ball placement and football IQ, which should elevate the Raiders' passing offense after finishing among the league's bottom five this past season."

The NFL Scouting Combine is the proving ground for draft prospects, and they will have the chance to further prove themselves at pro day workouts during the lead-up to this year's draft in April.