As the 2025 college football season comes to an end, the ¨what ifs ¨ and the ¨who will¨ questions start coming in quickly.
There are always many generational talents in every season that have a true opportunity to reshape the landscape of football as a whole. One major way to determine the next big thing is the most prestigious individual awards in college football history, the Heisman Trophy was created in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York. The award was made to honor the best of the best in college football. Basically, the MVP of the season, like in the big leagues.
Almost every player who has won the Heisman has made a huge impact in the NFL, past and present. Names, like Lamar Jackson (2016), Baker Mayfield (2018), Charles Woodson (1997), and, most recently, Travis Hunter (2024), are becoming common in conversation. Winning this award most likely guarantees you will play in the NFL. Around 25 players who have won the Heisman have been the number one overall pick in the NFL draft. Names such as Caleb Williams (2023), Kyler Murray (2019), and Joe Burrow (2020). This year’s contenders are no different when it comes to the future superstar aspect.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
One of the biggest surprises this year was the skyrocketing rise of the Indiana Hoosiers, from being an unranked team to becoming the number one team in the nation in 2025. Mendoza has led the Hoosiers to the top of arguably the most prestigious conference in college football, the Big Ten, which contains some of the most well-known teams in college football, such as the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and the Oregon Ducks. They secured their top spot in the BIG TEN and in all of college football when they defeated former number one-ranked Ohio State in the BIG TEN championship game. Mendoza ended that game with 222 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and went 15 for 23 on his pass completions. Safe to say Mendoza and the Hoosiers are out to prove themselves in the playoffs.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
A major reason for the success of the Ohio State Buckeyes 2025 season is new starting quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin was the backup quarterback for the now Pittsburgh Steeler, Will Howard. The Buckeyes have to defend the championship that they won in 2024. This season they hope to go back to back for the first time in program history, and Sayin looks to lead them to the promised land and he’s done that so far this season other than coming up short in the BIG 10 championship game in a loss to Indiana. Though the loss was painful, it hasn’t stopped Sayin from putting up what many would call “video game numbers.”
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
What might be considered a huge underdog story is the rise of the Vanderbilt Commodores and starting quarterback Diego Pavia. Vandy has risen to the top 20 rankings, which is one of the highest in program history. Many first started to notice Pavia when he performed the iconic Heisman pose on October 18, after scoring a rushing touchdown against LSU. Many were wondering why a quarterback not many have heard of was doing the pose, but then, once people started watching closer, it was realized that Pavia was no joke. Then when the season went on, Pavia was truly now a contender and unanimously won the SEC offensive player of the year award and the Johnny Unitas award.
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The man that many say is “worth the hype” and “NFL-bound” is Notre Dame all-American running back Jeremiyah Love. Love has put the Fighting Irish on another level with his unmatched explosiveness and ability to outwork and put that on the field. He has so far racked up 15+ rushing touchdowns and around 1,300+ rushing yards in the 2025 season. Safe to say that Love can be a huge threat to any team that he plays against with his ground game. He would end up going on to win the Doak Walker Award, which awards the best running back in the nation.
All these athletes are more than deserving of the Heisman award, but only one can win, and on December 13, the award ceremony was held, and after almost a 50-minute wait, the winner was announced. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner was the quarterback from Indiana University, Fernando Mendoza. Not many were surprised due to the fact that Mendoza had been the frontrunner for quite some time. But Mendoza had not only become the Heisman but the first Indiana player to win it and the first Cuban-American born player to win the award.
