Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, Jeremiyah Love Headline 2025 CFB Awards Finalists

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are among the big names picked as finalist for some of this year's college football awards.

All three players have been chosen as finalists for the Maxwell Award:

Mendoza, Sayin and Texas A&M signal-caller Marcel Reed are finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award (best quarterback):

The Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's most outstanding college football receiver, will be presented to USC's Makai Lemon, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith or UConn's Skyler Bell:

The Outland Trophy, given to the nation's best interior lineman (offense or defense), will go to Iowa center Logan Jones, Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald or Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano.

Ralph D. Russo of The Athletic provided an overview at the full slate of finalists:

Of note, the Chuck Bednarik Award for best defensive player will go to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell or Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

The Doak Walker Award, presented to the best running back, will be chosen from Love, Ahmad Hardy of Missouri and Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss.

Downs, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore and LSU CB Mansoor Delane are the finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.

Finalists for the Heisman Trophy will be revealed on Monday evening, Dec. 8, and the winner will be announced in a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13.