Porn star Abella Danger has weighed in on Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s NFL future after becoming an unexpected viral sensation during the National Championship Game.
“He’s so quick and so powerful, and he’s so intentional with everything he does.” Danger, 30, told Vegas Sports Today in an interview published on Saturday, January 24.
Danger was asked to respond to rumors that the Las Vegas Raiders may select Mendoza, 22, as the franchise’s number-one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. (The draft kicks off on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
“I hope he does [go to the Raiders] … I feel like the Raiders would be so lucky to have him,” she argued. “The question is, will he play his first season after being drafted? Hopefully he does. I know the world is just dying to get more of that kid. He’s so talented.”
Mendoza upended many predictions for the draft on Thursday, January 22, when he declared his eligibility for the NFL draft after three seasons of college football. (He initially redshirted for the California Golden Bears before transferring to the Hoosiers in 2025.)
“Coming to Indiana was a leap of faith. A leap that led me to going 16-0 with my boys and a National Championship and has now led me here — a moment where I get to dream bigger,” Mendoza announced via social media on Friday. “Thank you to my family, the teammates who pushed me and the coaches who took a chance on me.”
The QB went on to add, “It is only with your support and the glory of God that I am here today. With trust in my foundation and gratitude for everyone who has helped me reach this moment, I am ready to take the next step. My LinkedIn status is now, ‘Open to Work,’ and I am declaring for the 2026 NFL draft.”
Mendoza discussed his NFL ambitions on Good Morning America on Friday, January 23, where he said he would be “grateful” to be drafted by any team. He also addressed rumors that the Las Vegas Raiders — co-owned by NFL great Tom Brady — may be interested in drafting him with the first overall pick in April.
“It would be a dream come true,” he beamed.
Abella Danger in January 2026. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Danger had a chance to watch Mendoza up close when her Miami Hurricanes lost the National Championship to the Indiana Hoosiers, 27-21, on Monday, January 19.
Danger went viral during the National Championship Game when ESPN cameras showed her looking tense during several breaks in the action on the field. The former porn star is a lifelong Miami Hurricanes fan and is now studying law at the university.
After the game, Danger openly wept as celebrations for the Hurricane got underway at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
“I hate this! I hate this,” she declared as fireworks went off behind her.
As she exited the stadium, Danger insisted that she would hold her head high despite her team’s crushing loss against the Hoosiers for the National Championship.
“Even though we lost, I don’t care,” she told followers. “‘Cuz that game tonight proved that no other team deserved to be in the national versus Miami. No other team. Miami deserved that. Everyone counted us out. I don’t care if we lost. Those men out there, they were the best of the best. No one deserved that spot other than Miami.”
Danger went on, “That was not a blowout. That was not an ass whooping. Down to the f***ing wire. I don’t care. The only reason I’m sad is for these players that worked their butt off all season. They’re still winners. I don’t care.”
At that time, Danger seemingly was not aware that she’d gone viral for her appearances on ESPN. She was the subject of numerous memes and humorous tweets about a potentially awkward viewing experience for many collegiate football fans.
“Guys across the country watching the game with their wives and having to pretend they had no idea who Abella Danger was when they showed her on TV and their wife asked ‘Who’s that?l” one viewer joked via X.
Another chimed in, “Shoutout to the guy who was watching the National Championship with his wife and said ‘Holy s*** that’s Abella Danger’ and then got absolutely torn apart for the rest of the 4th quarter before getting exiled to the couch.”
Danger later issued a public apology over her appearance on ESPN, telling TMZ, “I would give anything in the world to not have had ESPN film me, and I am so deeply sorry to anyone I offended with my attendance at the game. I wish I could be any other student supporting my team.”
Danger is expected to graduate from the University of Miami in December 2026.
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