The Las Vegas Raiders got their first look at rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in practice this week, and fans got quite happy and excited.

Mendoza joined his first practice in the team’s colors and ran a few simple plays. There was no contact, but people still paid attention. A short video shared by Taylor Rocha over the weekend went viral. The 17-second clip showed Mendoza taking a snap and running a basic play. It reached over one million views on X in just a few days.

The excitement shows how high expectations are for Mendoza. The Raiders picked him No. 1 overall after an amazing college season. He led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 record, a Big Ten title, and a national championship.

Moreover, he also won the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Fans React To Early Glimpse

Fans shared strong opinions after watching the clip. Some saw early signs of confidence and control.

“Looks like he’s pretty comfortable so far. The next real test will come when he gets the D-line rushing at him. #Raiders,” one user wrote.

Others focused on his mechanics.

“You can tell by Mendoza’s mechanics and manorisms. This is a future all pro,” another fan said.

A third added, “Fernando’s balance and poise pops off the screen.”

Not everyone bought into the hype. Some fans urged patience and pointed to the lack of pressure in the drill.

“Playing under center also involves keeping the ball and making a pass. He is not doing that…yet. It’s not easy and takes awhile to learn,” one user noted.

Mendoza comes into camp after one of the best seasons in college football. He completed 273 of 379 passes and had a strong 90.3 QBR. He also set a school record for touchdown passes.

Now, the Raiders are getting ready for training camp and preseason games. Fans want to see how Mendoza performs in real game situations. The early video created excitement, but the real test and game are still ahead.