Heisman finalists stats comparison: Breaking down Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love

Morgan Moriarty

Heisman finalists stats comparison: Breaking down Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love image

The 2025 Heisman Trophy finalists were announced on Monday evening, and we have four outstanding players this year. The finalists include Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Each finalist is deserving in their own right. Mendoza has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. He helped lead his team to a 13-10 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, giving the Hoosiers their first conference title since 1967.

MORE: Meet the 2025 Heisman Trophy finalists

Speaking of the Buckeyes, quarterback Julian Sayin led Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 regular season. His completion percentage of 78.4 would break Bo Nix's NCAA record for completion percentage (77.4), which he set in 2023 at Oregon. This season is Sayin’s first as a starter.

Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia helped deliver the Commodores their first 11-win season in school history. He threw for a school-record 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns, including another 826 yards with nine scores on the ground.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love helped lead the Irish to a 10-2 finish in 2025, narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff. The junior running back finished with 1,652 all-purpose yards, including 21 touchdowns, good for second in the country.

In the week leading up to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Mendoza led the group with -1000 odds to win the award. Unlike years past, Heisman voting opened on conference championship weekend. Previously, the voting opened the last week of the regular season.

Let’s take a look at each finalist’s 2025 stat line. 

MORE: Which players have gripes about not making the Heisman finalist cut?

Heisman finalists stat comparison 2025

Fernando Mendoza stats

GamesComp. %Pass YardsPass TDsY/AINTRush YardsRush TDs
1375.52,98033*9.4**62406

*Leads FBS

**Leads the Big Ten

Diego Pavia Stats

GamesComp. %Pass YardsPass TDsY/AINTRush YardsRush TDs
1271.2**3,19527**9.4**88269

**Leads the SEC

Julian Sayin stats

GamesComp. %Pass YardsPass TDsY/AINT
1378.4*3,323319.36

*Leads FBS

Jeremiyah Love stats

GamesRush AttRush YardsYPCRush TDsRecRec YardsY/CRec TDs
121991,3726.9182728010.43

MORE: Which QBs are headed to the transfer portal this offseason?

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