Fernando Mendoza is learning the footwork and timing needed for under-center snaps as he begins NFL minicamp work with the Raiders.
Fernando Mendoza’s first NFL days come with a familiar challenge for rookie quarterbacks: learning how to operate under center.. For most of his college career. he worked almost exclusively from the shotgun. where timing and positioning are built around getting the ball quickly with less emphasis on depth and quick footwork.
At rookie minicamp. the Raiders’ newest quarterback is embracing that transition as a priority. focusing on the small details that change when the snap happens closer to the line.. Mendoza highlighted the added footwork needed once he’s no longer starting from shotgun. explaining that he has to get back into position. stay on schedule with his reads. and sharpen the first steps after the ball is secured.
In this context, the under-center adjustment matters because it directly affects timing, spacing, and decision-making. Even when play concepts look the same on paper, the rhythm changes in the NFL, and rookies are expected to find that timing fast.
Mendoza also pointed to the value of repetition with the coaching staff guiding his development.. He said head coach Klint Kubiak. offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko. and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan have all emphasized how crucial it is to build speed and efficiency in his reads as he works through the new mechanics.
For now, the Raiders are running the process through live practice work that includes the offensive line’s coordination.. Trey Zuhn. a third-round pick from Texas A&M who can handle multiple positions. has been snapping to Mendoza during minicamp.. With Tyler Linderbaum expected to be the starting center. Zuhn’s current reps are part of his broader adaptation as he settles into NFL responsibilities.
That matters for more than just mechanics. When the snap exchange is clean and consistent, it gives the quarterback more time to process the defense and execute with confidence, which is especially important during the learning curve of a rookie season.
Zuhn, like Mendoza, is also dealing with an adjustment. He noted that he and the offense didn’t get much under-center work at A&M either, so the increased practice reps are helping him build familiarity for how the NFL demands the position.
Meanwhile. the overarching theme for Mendoza is clear: mastering the footwork. securing the snap. and moving quickly to the next stage of each play.. Under center may look like a subtle change from shotgun on the sideline. but in the pocket of an NFL offense. those early steps can define how smooth everything else feels.