Fernando Mendoza Wins 2025 Heisman Trophy over Finalists Jeremiyah Love, Julian Sayin, and Diego Pavia
The Heisman Trophy was awarded to Indiana Quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy over three finalists in Notre Dame Running Back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State Quarterback Julian Sayin, and Vanderbilt Quarterback Diego Pavia.
The Heisman Trophy presentation is always somewhat difficult to watch. The made-for-television event features interviews with all of the finalists and several human interest stories. It is a nice touch that many Heisman Trophy winners attended the award ceremony. It was good that they were able to support Mendoza. Do you think he deserved the Heisman Trophy?
Fernando Mendoza Wins the Heisman Trophy
Mendoza was presented with the Heisman Trophy tonight. He did so over three finalists. It is worth noting that Love is the first running back to finish in the top four in the Heisman Trophy since 1966. Mendoza was fantastic this year, so he deserved the Heisman Trophy. He is the 91st Heisman Trophy winner.
It was nice that the Heisman Trophy committee released the top 10 for the Heisman Trophy. They were Texas Tech Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who finished fifth ahead of Ohio State Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith (sixth), Georgia Quarterback Gunner Stockton (seventh), Ole Miss Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (eighth), Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs (ninth), and Georgia Tech Quarterback Haynes King, who finished 10th.
Heisman Trophy Finalists
Love, a junior from St. Louis, Missouri, is currently fourth nationally in rushing yards with 1,372 yards. He is fifth in yards per game, at 114.33, and is third with 18 rushing touchdowns. He also has 27 receptions for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is also fourth nationally in all-purpose yards with 1,652, and second nationally with 21 touchdowns.
Mendoza is a redshirt junior from Miami, Florida. Mendoza was the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Player and Quarterback of the Year and an All-Big Ten first-team quarterback who led Indiana to a 2025 Big Ten title and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Mendoza completed 226-of-316 passes for 2,980 yards and a nation-leading 33 TD passes while rushing for 240 yards and another 6 scores. Mendoza is second nationally in total touchdowns accounted for, with 39, and in quarterback rating, 181.39
Pavia, a graduate senior from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in his second year as a Commodore, led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season in 2025. Pavia, the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, completed 242-of-340 passes for a school-record 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns (tied for eighth nationally) and a completion percentage of 71.2 (eighth nationally). Pavia, who also rushed for 826 yards and nine scores, is tied for fourth nationally in total touchdowns accounted for with thirty-six.
Sayin, a sophomore from Carlsbad, California, led the Buckeyes to a 12-1 record, a No. 1 ranking for most of the season, a berth in the 2025 Big Ten Championship game, and a No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. The 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Sayin leads the country in QB rating at 182.05, passed for 3,329 yards, and his 31 touchdown passes are tied for second nationally. He is also first in the nation in completion percentage, 78.4, on 280-of-357 passing. He is only a freshman.
Conclusion
The 2025 Heisman Trophy was announced during the Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan. It was a commercialized affair. It was nice that the top 10 finishers were released yesterday. Mendoza is a deserving winner, though it is worth pointing out that three of the top 10 finishers were from Ohio State.
