The regular season wrapped up with an eventful championship weekend. Several Heisman hopefuls made their final push, their fates now in the hands of the voters. If I had a vote, this would be my ballot.
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The best team in the country is Indiana, led by Fernando Mendoza. What a wild sentence to type, but it’s the truth. He capped off the greatest regular season in program history by taking down Ohio State, proving both he and the Hoosiers belong at the top. If you’re handing the award to the best player on the best team, it has to be Mendoza.
2. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Sayin now holds the highest completion percentage in a single season, surpassing Bo Nix’s incredible 2023 mark. He entered the weekend as my frontrunner, but for the first time all season looked rattled in the title game. Indiana’s defense exposed some cracks, but that shouldn’t overshadow an otherwise brilliant year.
3. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
This is the greatest season Vanderbilt football has ever produced, and Pavia is the reason they’re knocking on the playoff door. He has the storyline, the personality, and the production that normally win Heismans. If Vandy had played a tougher schedule, he might be holding the trophy next weekend.
4. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rodriguez is doing things linebackers simply don’t do. Seven forced fumbles and four interceptions in one season is absurd. In a year where a defensive player could realistically win, Rodriguez is the one with a real shot.
5. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love might be the best overall player in college football. Notre Dame was only in playoff position because of him. Dynamic, explosive, and consistently dominant, he deserves consideration. If the Irish had beaten either Texas A&M or Miami, Love might be the favorite.
6. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but the impact is undeniable. Stockton has dragged Georgia back into games multiple times with his aggressiveness and leadership. The “it” factor matters, and he has it. His performance against Alabama in the SEC Championship summed up his season perfectly: steady, poised, winning football.
7. Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
Texas A&M hasn’t seen success like this in a long time, and Reed is the engine. At his best, he looks like a Heisman-caliber player. The inconsistency keeps him outside the top tier, but the ceiling is obvious. He’ll likely be back in the conversation next season.
8. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
The Ferris State transfer wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near this conversation. But once Austin Simmons went down, Chambliss took over and never looked back. Ole Miss is having one of its best seasons ever, and if Chambliss had started from Week 1, he’d very likely be in New York.
9. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Alabama might have the best collection of wins in the country, and Simpson has carried an offense with almost no run game. He was on the verge of a top-four finish until his worst performance of the year on Saturday. One bad showing dropped him out of the elite tier, but he still belongs on the list.
10. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Rodriguez gets the attention, but Bailey is just as terrifying. Offensive linemen get bullied every week by his blend of speed and power. He has a legitimate argument as the best defensive lineman in college football, and he rounds out a dominant Red Raiders roster.
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