who were the heisman finalists
The 2025 Heisman Trophy finalists were Fernando Mendoza (Indiana quarterback), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt quarterback), Julian Sayin (Ohio State quarterback), and Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame running back). These four elite college football players were announced as finalists on December 8, 2025, during ESPN's Monday Night Countdown. Fernando Mendoza ultimately won the award on December 13, 2025.
The Four Finalists
Fernando Mendoza - Indiana Hoosiers QB Mendoza entered the ceremony as the heavy favorite after his legendary performance in Indiana's Big Ten Championship Game victory over Ohio State. He completed 15 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown in the 13-10 win, helping the Hoosiers capture their first outright conference title in 80 years. His season stats included 2,980 passing yards and 33 touchdowns through the air, plus six rushing touchdowns. Mendoza was Indiana's second Heisman finalist ever and the first since Anthony Thompson in 1989.
Diego Pavia - Vanderbilt Commodores QB Pavia became Vanderbilt's first- ever Heisman finalist, serving as the driving force behind the Commodores' historic resurgence under coach Clark Lea. He emerged as one of the nation's premier playmakers with a freestyling gunslinger style that drew comparisons to Johnny Manziel. His explosive performances and ability to lead a historically struggling program to new heights made him a serious contender for the prestigious award.
Julian Sayin - Ohio State Buckeyes QB Sayin was Ohio State's 11th Heisman finalist and the seventh since 2018, representing one of the most successful programs in Heisman history. He led all FBS quarterbacks with a remarkable 78.4% completion rate and posted a 182.1 passer rating, the best among quarterbacks with at least 100 pass attempts. Though his chances faded slightly after Ohio State's Big Ten Championship Game loss, he still delivered a solid 258-yard, one-touchdown performance in that contest.
Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Love was Notre Dame's sixth finalist and the first since Manti Te'o in 2012. As one of the most talented running backs to come through Notre Dame in the modern era, Love represented the only non-quarterback among the finalists, giving him an uphill battle given the position's recent dominance of the award.
Historic Implications
| Finalist | School | Position | Historic Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | QB | First Indiana finalist since 1989 | [3]
| Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt | QB | Vanderbilt's first- ever finalist | [3]
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | QB | OSU's 11th finalist (tied for most all-time) | [3]
| Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | RB | First Notre Dame finalist since 2012 | [3]
The Final Outcome
The Heisman Trophy ceremony took place on December 13, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET in New York. Fernando Mendoza captured the award, marking the 13th time a quarterback has won the Heisman since 2010. This marked the seventh consecutive year that four finalists were invited to New York for the ceremony, continuing a tradition formally established by the Heisman Trophy Trust in 2021.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here. TLDR: The 2025 Heisman finalists were Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB - winner), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt QB - first-ever finalist for the school), Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB), and Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB). Mendoza won the award after leading Indiana to its first conference championship in 80 years.