The four finalists for the 91st Heisman Memorial Trophy were announced Monday night during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, setting the stage for one of the most diverse fields in recent memory.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will head to New York for Saturday’s ceremony, where the 2025 winner will be revealed on ABC.
Love emerged as one of the nation’s most explosive playmakers, breaking multiple Notre Dame records while ranking among the top five nationally in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and all-purpose production. Mendoza, a transformational transfer for unbeaten Indiana, led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title and No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff behind a school-record 33 touchdown passes.
Pavia powered Vanderbilt to a historic 10-win season, rewriting the Commodores’ record book with more than 4,000 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns. Sayin, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, turned in one of the most efficient seasons in conference history, leading the nation in completion percentage and passer rating while guiding Ohio State back into the Playoff.
Each finalist is also up for major national awards, including the Walter Camp and Maxwell. The group represents milestones across the sport: Pavia is Vanderbilt’s first finalist, while Love is Notre Dame’s first since 2012. Sayin extends Ohio State’s Heisman tradition with its 11th finalist, tied for the most all-time.
The Heisman winner will be announced Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
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