Did You Watch The Future #1 NFL Draft Pick Play In Shreveport In 2023?
We talk a lot about the history of Shreveport's Independence Bowl, and for good reason. The game is a historic bowl, that has featured some of the biggest names in the history of the sport. Hall of Fame coaches have roamed the sidelines, and legendary players have littered the box scores.
Now, it looks like we might be adding another to the list of noteworthy names who played at Independence Stadium. With the top name projected for the 2026 NFL Draft being an Independence Bowl alumni.
From The Independence Bowl To The First Pick In The Draft?
Fernando Mendoza is projected to be the number one overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Most people know Mendoza now as the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback for Indiana, who has his team in position for a national championship.
But fans in Shreveport remember him for being the starting quarterback for the California Golden Bears. Back in 2023 he led Cal into Shreveport to face Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl.
Fernando Mendoza's Shreveport Connection
That night in 2023 wasn't the best showing for Cal...as Texas Tech took the win 34-14. But Mendoza himself threw for over 280 yards and a touchdown that night. Then again he did throw three interceptions. In his defense, most of those picks came late when Cal was down big, and they were trying to force the ball down the field.
It is wild to see how far he has come since that cold night in Shreveport, to becoming the top quarterback prospect in the nation.
If Mendoza does go number one overall...he would join a very exclusive club of former Independence Bowl players. Only two other players in history have played in our bowl game and then gone on to be the first pick in the NFL Draft.
Elite Independence Bowl Company
The first guy to go from Shreveport's bowl to the top draft pick was the legendary Bruce Smith...who played for Virginia Tech in the 1984 Independence Bowl. He then went on to be the first overall pick to Buffalo.
After that was Eli Manning...who led Ole Miss to a win in the 2002 Independence Bowl before the Chargers took him first overall in 2004. Yes, the Chargers took him, before trading him to the New York Giants. That means Mendoza would be just the third player ever to make this jump...and only the second quarterback to do it.
It is pretty cool to think we saw him play right here in the Ark-La-Tex before he became the biggest name in football.