B/R's 2025 Heisman Trophy Rankings after Week 12

As the 2025 Heisman Trophy race approaches its last three weekends, the odds are favoring the award's return to the Big Ten.

It's been a long, long stretch since that happened.

Provided you exclude Oregon's Marcus Mariota in 2014 and USC's Caleb Williams in 2022—although the league may claim them post-realignment—the conference's last Heisman winner was Ohio State's Troy Smith in 2006.

Yes, the greatest other challengers are from the SEC. Nothing new there. But with two regular-season weeks and conference championships to play, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and OSU's Julian Sayin are the front-runners.

Best of all, those Big Ten programs may be on a collision course, too.

The tiers are subjective, yet based on historical voting trends, including individual production and team success.

Tier 4: The Cult Hero

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Jacob Rodriguez

Are you a head coach of a Football Bowl Subdivision program? Do you think one of your non-quarterbacks is deserving of Heisman Trophy consideration?

Apparently, the answer is to put him behind center.

Jacob Rodriguez has been a game-wrecking linebacker for Texas Tech this season. Over the weekend, he recorded nine tackles with a pass defended as the 10-1 Red Raiders walloped UCF 48-9.

And he also rushed in a two-yard touchdown.

"Everybody's talking about quarterbacks for Heisman," Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said after the game, "so we put him at quarterback today."

Rodriguez has amassed 100 tackles (9.5 for loss) with seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and six pass breakups. He is, without question, a first-team All-American—and potentially a worthy unanimous one.

If the Red Raiders topple West Virginia and win a Big 12 crown with Rodriguez making key plays, get ready for a little more Heisman buzz.

Tier 3: Will Receive Votes

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Jeremiyah Love

Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

For better or worse, the Yellow Jackets sure make it interesting. They evaded a horrible loss at Boston College with a last-minute field goal, squeezing out a 38-36 victory. King threw for 371 yards and a score while scampering for 53 yards. His candidacy is dwindling, but the possible combo of upsetting Georgia and then winning an ACC crown means he is hanging around.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame has rattled off eight straight wins, and Jeremiyah Love has consistently been a key factor along the way. The explosive back ripped off a 56-yard touchdown early at Pitt to jump-start a resounding road win, finishing with 167 total yards and that score. Love probably won't win it, but he's entering two stat-padding opportunities with Syracuse and Stanford to close the regular season.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

Well, he had a good run. Trinidad Chambliss is essentially out of contention to win a Heisman after a 34-24 victory over Florida. Don't feel too bad, though. He has guided Ole Miss to 10-1 and a place in the Playoff, as long as the Rebels win at rival Mississippi State in Week 14.

Tier 2: Top Challengers

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Gunner Stockton

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

At a very inopportune moment, Alabama dropped its second game of the season. Ty Simpson threw for 326 yards but also committed two turnovers, and the Crimson Tide lost 23-21 at home to Oklahoma. He has a bounce-back opportunity with FCS team Eastern Illinois next on the docket, but Bama's hopes of an SEC title and Simpson's award upside are contingent on help and/or tiebreakers.

Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia

Gunner Stockton, meanwhile, pushed farther into the conversation with a massive day in a clutch 35-10 win over Texas. He passed for 229 yards, rushed for 29 more and totaled five touchdowns as the Dawgs jumped to 9-1. Given Charlotte awaits in Week 13, it's safe to say UGA is Playoff-bound. But which way will the tiebreakers fall to set up the SEC Championship Game? Stockton would benefit immensely from having one more showcase.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M

Is leading a 27-point comeback at home against a 3-6 opponent good or bad for a Heisman case? The bright side is A&M avoided a stunning loss to South Carolina with an impressive second-half surge, and Marcel Reed finished with 452 total yards. He threw a trio of touchdowns and a pair of picks. The Aggies host Samford before traveling to Texas in the regular-season finale.

Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt

Following an idle weekend, Diego Pavia and the Commodores are back at home against Kentucky. Avoiding a letdown with rival Tennessee looming in Week 14 is essential for both Vandy's dream of crashing the CFP and Pavia commanding a more significant share of Heisman votes.

Tier 1: The Favorites

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Fernando Mendoza

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

After a couple weeks of relatively modest production, Fernando Mendoza put together a near-perfect day in a 31-7 rout of Wisconsin. He completed 22-of-24 attempts for 299 yards and four touchdowns, pushing the Hoosiers to 11-0 on the season. They're probably now locked into a Playoff spot entering an idle Saturday, and a victory over rival Purdue in Week 14 would send IU to the Big Ten Championship Game.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Indiana's likely opponent in that conference title matchup is Ohio State, which cruised to a 48-10 win over UCLA. Julian Sayin hit 23-of-31 throws for 184 yards and one score in a quiet but generally effective game. Although the 10-0 Buckeyes are desperate to snap their skid against Michigan, a home win opposite Rutgers in Week 13 would seal OSU's place in the CFP.