From national champion to NFL prospect: Fernado Mendoza headlines combine week

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Former IU and Notre Dame football stars are being tested on their physical and mental strength at this year's NFL combine, where scouts and coaches are looking ahead to April's draft.

After a little over a month since IU stepped off the field as national champions, Heizman winner, Fernando Mendoza's NFL preparation has begun.

Mendoza announcing he'd be lucky to be drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, especially for the opportunity to be mentored by one of the best to ever play in his position, Tom Brady.

"I can't thank the city of Indianapolis and the whole state of Indiana enough for the fantastic year and be able to spend it with those legends." Said Mendoza. "[It] was a remarkable night. [To] be able to learn from Payton, learn from Eli, learn from Daniel. You know, I'm the young pup in that group. To be able to take that knowledge and some nuggets from them and hopefully apply to my game, whether it's this offseason training or the rookie season. I'm really fortunate, but right now I'm unemployed. I have no job. So, this is my job interview right now, and like everyone says, it's the most job important job interview of your life. So right now, I'm just trying to do everything to hopefully get employed by April 23."

ABC57's Talia Baia will be at the NFL combine in Indianapolis with full coverage of the event on Feb. 28.