The 2025 Heisman Trophy features three prolific quarterbacks and a highlight-reel running back.
Who will win college football’s most prestigious individual award? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a heavy favorite, but Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are also finalists in what promises to be an intriguing vote. Could it be close?
All four candidates have a legitimate case to win the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded at the ceremony at 8 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. Here’s a look at the case for each finalist (listed alphabetically by last name):
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Heisman Trophy candidates 2025
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Pros: Love ranked fourth in the FBS with 1,372 rushing yards and was the only running back with more than 1,300 yards on fewer than 200 carries. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry, delivering a steady stream of jaw-dropping runs, including a 48-yard touchdown against Navy on Nov. 8. He also rushed for 228 yards in a 34-24 victory over No. 20 USC on Oct. 18. Love was a key factor in Notre Dame’s 10-game winning streak this season.
Cons: Love didn’t get off to a strong start. He was limited to 33 carries for 127 yards in losses to No. 10 Miami and No. 16 Texas A&M—games that ultimately kept the Irish out of the College Football Playoff. Alabama’s Derrick Henry is the only running back to win the Heisman Trophy during the College Football Playoff era, and he did so while on a national championship team. Love has been among the favorites in November, but he will need significant support to win an award historically dominated by quarterbacks.
One stat: Missouri's Ahmad Hardy had 40 runs of 10 yards or more on 242 carries. Love had 39 runs of 10 yards or more on 199 carries. He's the best big-play back in college football.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Pros: Mendoza led Indiana to a 13-0 regular-season record and the program’s first Big Ten championship since 1967. He finished second in the FBS with a 181.4 passer rating, throwing for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six interceptions. But it was more than the stats. Mendoza had several Heisman-caliber moments — including the game-winning TD pass to Omar Cooper Jr. In a 27-27 victory against Penn State on Nov. 8. He also led go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter against No. 3 Oregon and Iowa this season, with the 13-10 victory over No. 1 Ohio State serving as the pinnacle.
Cons: Mendoza had just one 300-yard passing game, and the Hoosiers averaged 221.2 rushing yards per game. He averaged 218.5 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in games against the Ducks and Buckeyes. Overall, Mendoza ranked 24th among FBS quarterbacks in passing yards.
One stat: Mendoza had a passer rating of 200 with 16 TDs and three interceptions in the second half. He was clutch in the fourth quarter of huge games, and that has made him the favorite.
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Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Pros: Pavia led Vanderbilt to a historic 10-win season with a swagger that was one of the best storylines in the SEC this season. Pavia finished second in the FBS in total offense with 334.8 yards per game – the most among any Power 4 quarterbacks. The Commodores ranked eighth in the FBS with 39.4 points per game. Pavia led the SEC with a 72.1% completion percentage, and he led all quarterbacks in the conference with 826 rushing yards. He was the best dual-threat quarterback in college football this season, and the Heisman Trophy often is a statistical award.
Cons: Pavia had two costly turnovers in the 30-14 loss to No. 10 Alabama on Oct. 4, and Vanderbilt did not make the College Football Playoff. Pavia had eight interceptions, the most among the three quarterbacks, and he had five games with less than 200 passing yards. Pavia led an incredible season for Vanderbilt, but he did not have a chance to make a statement on conference championship weekend.
One stat: Pavia, Mendoza and Sayin combined for 12 games with at least 300 yards of total offense. Pavia had seven of those games, Sayin four and Mendoza one.
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Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Pros: Sayin took hold of the starting quarterback job at Ohio State as a redshirt freshman, and he was one of the most-efficient QBs in FBS history. He has a 78.4% completion percentage, which is on pace to break the single-season record set by Oregon's Bo Nix (77.4%) in 2023. Sayin also leads the FBS with a 182.1 passer rating. Sayin helped Michigan end a four-game losing streak to Michigan 233 yards, three TDs and an interception in a 27-9 victory on Nov. 29.
Cons: Mendoza has the head-to-head victory in the Big Ten championship, and that ultimately might lead to Sayin having a similar placement as Ohio State Heisman finalists such as Dwayne Haskins (3rd, 2018), Justin Fields (3rd, 2019) and C.J. Stroud (4th, 2021; 3rd, 2022). Sayin was 21 of 29 for 258 yards and a TD and an interception in the loss. Sayin also is throwing to All-American caliber receivers in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, which is being used against his campaign. There also is the lack of a true Heisman Trophy moment – though the 50-yard TD pass to Tate in the victory against Michigan is close.
One stat: Who said Sayin cannot throw the ball down the field? He finished 28 of 43 (65.1%) for 13 TDs and no interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more this season.