Tonight’s Heisman Trophy ceremony appears to be a formality, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely viewed as the runaway favorite. The redshirt junior transfer from UC Berkeley has lit it up in Bloomington and beyond, piling up accolades throughout the 2025 season. As of this morning, Mendoza has already claimed the Maxwell Award for Outstanding Player and the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback. He also shared Walter Camp Player of the Year honors, while head coach Curt Cignetti earned National Coach of the Year after guiding the Hoosiers to their first undefeated season.
In a pre-Heisman interview with WHTR reporter, Eli Ghen, Mendoza showed why he has become so easy to root for off the field as well. He spoke openly about growing up in Miami, the challenges his family faced, and his early football setbacks. A COVID shortened junior season and just one scholarship offer out of high school are now viewed as blessings that fueled his drive. “Work ethic beats talent,” Mendoza said. “Anyone who tells you that you are too raw, too short, or too anything…you can do it.”
Despite the individual recognition, Mendoza repeatedly emphasized that the Heisman is a team award. He also reaffirmed his commitment to Indiana amid NFL Draft speculation and said he is focused on the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers are set to face the winner of Oklahoma and Alabama on December 19 in Pasadena, with an opportunity to soak in the tradition of the Rose Bowl on January 1. BetRivers lists Mendoza as a massive favorite at -3335 heading into tonight’s ceremony in New York City. If Mendoza wins, he would be the first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana program history.
The numbers back it up. Mendoza finished the season with 33 touchdowns, completing 71.52% of his passes for 2,980 yards. Even so, he remained gracious, calling his fellow finalists equally deserving and saying he plans to leave New York smiling regardless of the result.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia enters as the distant runner up at +1100. Pavia captured the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (awarded to an “outstanding senior quarterback”and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Commodores to a 10-2 record. He accounted for 27 touchdowns, threw for 3,192 yards, and completed 242 of 340 passes.
Like Mendoza, Pavia’s path to the spotlight was far from conventional. A zero star recruit with no scholarship offers out of high school, he began his career at New Mexico Military Institute, where he led the team to a junior college national championship. He later played for Jerry Kill at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season. Vanderbilt will face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve. If Pavia were to pull the upset tonight, he would become the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner. Otherwise, he is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is also in New York as a finalist, though his odds sit at +35000. Love rushed for 1,372 yards on 199 carries and finished the season as the only player in the country to rank in the top three in scoring, total touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage. For newer fans, yards from scrimmage combines a player’s rushing and receiving production.
Despite Love’s standout season and a 10-2 record, Notre Dame was left out of the College Football Playoff. The Irish finished ninth in the AP Top 25, ahead of playoff teams Tulane and James Madison, and will watch the postseason unfold from home.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin rounds out the finalist group. Listed at +50000, Sayin threw for 31 touchdowns and completed 78% of his passes as a first year sophomore starter. While his Heisman momentum cooled after a narrow loss to Indiana, his efficiency and production point to a quarterback likely to reenter the conversation next season.
The 91st Heisman Trophy will be awarded tonight at 7 pm Eastern, airing on ABC and streaming on the ESPN app.