Le Journal

After leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a national title and winning the Heisman trophy, Fernando Mendoza could join an exclusive list of quarterbacks to boast such accolades and be drafted first overall. Fernando Mendoza completed the gauntlet during the 2025 NCAA season. Following the Indiana Hoosiers’ crowning in the College Football Playoff National Championship and Mendoza’s Heisman trophy, the star quarterback is now one step away from joining an elite club in college football. All that is left is for him to be selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Only a handful of players have ever completed this trifecta. After his sensational year with the Hoosiers, Mendoza is now well on track to etch his name onto the selected group. Following Indiana’s victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship, we take a look at the five players who have won the Heisman, a natty, and went on to be drafted with the No. 1 pick. The list consists of the following college football stars: Angelo Bertelli (Notre Dame), Leon Hart (Notre Dame), Cam Newton (Auburn), Jameis Winston (Florida State), and Joe Burrow (LSU). If Mendoza is indeed drafted with the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the quarterback out of Miami, FL will be the latest talent to add his name onto the mix. Who owns the No. 1 pick in the Draft? After Mendoza and the Hoosiers finished the job with their dominant victory over the Hurricanes, the ball is now in the Las Vegas Raiders’ court. The organization in Sin City finished the 2025 NFL season with the league’s worst record (3–14) and was awarded the first overall pick in the upcoming draft because of it. There are no doubts that Mendoza will be declaring for the NFL Draft, as has ran out of years of eligibility. Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers. Since then, the Raiders have been heavily linked to Mendoza. And for good reason. The selection makes too much sense, as Las Vegas has long been in need of a franchise quarterback after severely underwhelming stints with Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, Geno Smith, and others attempted as the No. 1 quarterback. None worked out, and Mendoza presents a skill set the Raiders haven’t come across in a very long time. All signs indicate Mendoza will be selected first overall by the Raiders, but anything can happen. Once in a blue moon, the house sometimes loses—even in Las Vegas—and no one really knows for certain what the Raiders’ next move will be.

The criticism reached Andrew McCutchen, who is currently a free agent, but he didn’t hesitate to respond to claims that he can no longer play defense for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen finished last season with a .239 batting average and spent most of the year serving as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ designated hitter, a role that sparked criticism suggesting he can no longer play defense. McCutchen recently pushed back on that narrative in a lengthy message, telling critics to find something better to do with their time. “It is really funny how so many ppl say I ‘can’t (key word) play defense.’ I haven’t played much defense because they haven’t asked that of me. The only reason I played a few games last year is because Reynolds needed rest from a minor injury and I ASKED to play defense to get in the lineup,” McCutchen wrote on X (@thecutch22). The 39-year-old continued by making it clear he still believes he has what it takes defensively. “No one said anything then? Bottom line is if it is needed, I can not only do it, but do it like I’ve been out there all year. So stop creating false narratives and take your wives or GFs out to dinner and get off the coattails of other men. That’s weird energy.” McCutchen’s 2025 season While it’s true McCutchen saw very little time on defense during the 2025 MLB season, it was still one of his better offensive years in recent memory. It ranked as his second-best season over the past six years in terms of a .239 batting average, with just 118 strikeouts, 114 hits (122 in 2022), and scored 51 runs. https://t.co/YlJlyWtJCL pic.twitter.com/kgkLmXeqgI— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) January 19, 2026 “Always thought that to be the case. Hated seeing Canario in the lineup when we had you available. Is this something the nerds upstairs came up with? Because three years ago I remember them saying you had an elbow issue — but that was three years ago. You must be healthy by now,” Luisma Pavia commented on McCutchen’s post, showing clear support for the veteran. McCutchen’s future with the Pirates remains uncertain. Now a free agent, he recently hinted on X that he is waiting for a call from the club about a possible return for at least one more season. Last year, McCutchen signed a one-year deal worth $5 million.

Following Jeff Hafley’s hiring as head coach, the Miami Dolphins are now seen as the most obvious landing spot for a top quarterback set to hit NFL free agency. Immediately upon arrival, Jeff Hafley will have to answer the multi-million dollar question around Tua Tagovailoa and his future with the Miami Dolphins. That decision may be made clear with a quarterback signing in the NFL free agency. On that note, there is one name that is impossible to overlook. After pulling the plug on Mike McDaniel’s tenure in Miami Gardens, the Dolphins have taken a complete turn in direction. Rather than building a West Coast–style offense, Miami is now modeling itself after the Green Bay Packers of recent NFL seasons. The Dolphins have named Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager and Jeff Hafley as head coach ahead of the 2026 NFL campaign. In many ways, the Phins are starting to look a lot like the Packs. However, one quarterback signing could make it official. According to multiple reports around the league, it seems imminent that the Dolphins will either sign—or at least enter a bidding war for—Packers quarterback Malik Willis, who is set to become a free agent. “The Dolphins hired a GM from Green Bay and a HC from Green Bay. There’s a QB from Green Bay who will be a free agent this offseason,” insider Jordan Schultz hinted about Malik Willis’ future in the league. Malik Willis rushing in for a touchdown Willis’ stats in 2025 Willis threw for 422 passing yards and three touchdowns during the 2025 NFL campaign. Though he didn’t the see field too often, he made the most out of his opportunities. His best game of the year was during the 41-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, as he passed for 288 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 60 yards and two scores. Willis’ journey A third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis was never truly given a chance to become the Tennessee Titans’ starting quarterback. After being traded to the Packers, he showed that he has what it takes to be a QB1 in the league. With Green Bay finding its franchise quarterback in Jordan Love, Willis is likely headed to the open market. There, a team like Miami—looking for strong competition at the position between Willis, Tagovailoa, and Quinn Ewers—emerges as a clear favorite.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have an extremely high asking price for Austin Reaves, as they would only be willing to consider a trade in exchange for two NBA superstars. The Los Angeles Lakers are in a complicated position this NBA season, coming off several losses marked by inconsistency and defensive breakdowns. Those struggles are increasing internal pressure to explore potential moves ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, and while one name consistently surfaces in trade speculation, moving Austin Reaves remains highly unlikely. Austin Reaves was once viewed as a short-term surprise, but he has firmly established himself as a core piece for the Lakers. His development has been so significant that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has fielded numerous trade inquiries for the guard over the past year. NBA analyst Jason McIntyre recently reported on The Herd that the Lakers have rejected 20 trade offers involving Reaves during that span. According to the report, Los Angeles would only consider moving him in a blockbuster deal that returns two NBA superstars. “There are reports out there that the Lakers have turned down, wait for it, 20 offers in the last year for Austin Reaves,” McIntyre said. “The report goes on to say Pelinka is only interested in dealing Reaves in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic. I did laugh when I first heard that.” Nikola Jokic during an NBA game with the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers and the value placed on Reaves While the asking price may seem unrealistic, it reflects how highly the Lakers value Reaves internally. The 27-year-old is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game during the 2025–26 season while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, making this the most productive year of his career. Reaves has become far more than a complementary player, emerging as a reliable offensive option and a consistent presence alongside the team’s stars. His performance places him firmly in the conversation for a potential first All-Star selection in 2026. The chances of such a trade happening Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains uncertain. Milwaukee currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17–24 record, fueling speculation about whether the two-time MVP could request a move before the deadline or during the offseason. If Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, becomes available, any Lakers offer would almost certainly include Reaves. However, Nikola Jokic is not viewed as a realistic target. The Denver Nuggets are third in the Western Conference at 29–14, and there has been no indication that the Serbian star is interested in leaving a roster that continues to win even in his absence.