Fernando Mendoza's High School GPA Says A Lot About Him

Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

The Las Vegas Raiders have the top overall pick and they need a quarterback. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, appears to be the pick. It'll be made final shortly after 8 p.m. E.T. on Thursday night.

Mendoza, who is from Florida, will be watching the NFL Draft from home. His mother has M.S. It's easier for his family to watch from their house in Florida, rather than attend in person in Pittsburgh.

"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night," Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show. "It'd be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home."

Mendoza is excited to celebrate with dozens of friends and family members tonight.

"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey," Mendoza said. "Mentors, coaches, family, friends - to be able to share that moment with all of them, is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."

Mendoza, who is known for his leadership and character, has been showing that since high school.

Star quarterback's high school GPA says a lot about him

In high school, Mendoza carried a 4.7 GPA, among the highest in his school. He was initially set to play in the Ivy Leagues, at Yale, before heading to Cal-Berkeley.

"Fernando Mendoza had a 4.7 GPA out of high school and originally committed to Yale to study economics before decommiting and going to Cal," Darren Rovell shared.

Fans are impressed.

"4.7 is crazy for anyone let alone an athlete," one fan said. "How much higher does it even go."

"Kid's going to be president someday," one fan predicted.

"And he got is degree from UC Berkeley before entering the portal and transferring to IU for his last year of eligibility," another shared.

Tonight will be another special evening for Mendoza and Co.

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. E.T.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 8:25 AM.