Fernando Mendoza Wins Historic 2025 Heisman Trophy as CFB Fans Hype Indiana QB

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza was named the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday, making him the first Hoosier to ever win the award.

He beat out fellow finalists Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) and Julian Sayin (Ohio State).

As expected, social media had plenty thoughts on the decision to name Mendoza the winner, though many fans were already looking ahead to his NFL future:

In a year without a distinctly obvious choice, however, all four finalists made a strong case.

Mendoza, 22, was arguably the frontrunner coming into the night after leading Indiana to a perfect 13-0 record and Big Ten title. He threw for 2,980 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing an impressive 71.5 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 240 yards and six scores, and might just be the first quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL draft.

Fernando Mendoza Heisman Reel

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As for the other finalists, the 20-year-old Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 27 catches for 280 yards and three scores. Notre Dame finished 10-2 and was left out of the College Football Playoff.

Pavia, 23, remained one of college football's most fun players in 2025, throwing for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 71.2 percent of his passes and rushing for another 826 yards and nine scores. Vanderbilt finished 10-2 and will face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Sayin, 20, had quite the year in his debut as Ohio State's starter. The sophomore quarterback threw for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six picks, completing an absurd 78.4 percent of his passes. He led Ohio State to a 12-1 record and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game, where the Buckeyes were beaten by Indiana.

Still, Ohio State will join the Hoosiers in this year's College Football Playoff.