Sawt Falasteen - Raiders take quarterback Mendoza with No. 1 NFL draft pick

Cuban-American Mendoza was widely expected to go first overall after leading Indiana to the United States college football crown and bagging the Heisman as college football's top player.

He led the Hoosiers to an unbeaten campaign and their first national title, completing 273 of 379 passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

The 22-year-old also ran 90 times for 276 yards and seven touchdowns.

The 91st edition of the annual allocation of unclaimed talent was held in Pittsburgh, at the Steelers' Acrisure Stadium.

Mendoza opted to not to attend, instead watching the proceedings with family and friends at home in Miami, in part because the travel would have been difficult for his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis.

But broadcaster ESPN was on the scene in Florida, where Mendoza's selection sparked laughter and hugs.

"I'm just looking forward to getting to work, prove it at the next level," a beaming Mendoza, a Raiders cap perched on his head, told ESPN. "College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career.

"But now I step into a great game, the NFL. (I) look forward to proving and earning it every single day."

It remains to be seen how soon Mendoza might step into a starting role. But the Raiders are in need of a top quarterback after going 3-14 last year.

They haven't won a post-season game since they won the 2003 Super Bowl.

Mendoza's selection by the Raiders was widely expected, but things were less clear for other teams.

The New York Jets were slated to select second, followed by the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.

H.Jarrar--SF-PST