Bay Area Stars Shine in 2026 NFL Draft

0:00In the 2026 NFL draft, the top two picks had indirect ties to Bay Area schools, going to former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Snatched up number one by the Raiders, an ex-stanford defensive in David Bayley, taken second overall by the Jets. Both players transferred after underwhelming starts and exploded elsewhere. Mendoza headed to Indiana, where he grabbed the Heisman Trophy and led the. Usures to a perfect 16-0 season with a national title win, while Bayley jumped to Texas Tech and topped the nation with 14.5-secs. Back at Cal and Stanford, their careers were just okay. Mendoza threw for 30 touchdowns over three years in Berkeley. Bayley started 16 games. Across three seasons in Palo Alto, without big honors, and both school swapped coaches since they left, Mendoza locked in as the safest quarterback pick, with analysts comparing his accuracy, size, and toughness to Matt Ryan the 2008. Number three overall, who earned Ricky Honors and MVP nods later.

1:04Bayley impressed at the scouting combine and dodged any Jets drama to slide right into that prime spot, setting up both for big leaps as they gear up. To prove themselves in the pros, local news, powered by AI, this is California News Today.