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The four Heisman Trophy finalists were revealed Monday night.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin will head to New York City with hopes of hearing their names called as the winner of the prestigious award.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza celebrates after the Big Ten NCAA college football championship game against Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Two of the players will compete for a national championship.
Mendoza led Indiana to an undefeated season and one Big Ten Championship over Ohio State this past Saturday. The team has the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
The Hoosiers star transferred to Indiana from Cal. He has 2,980 passing yards and an FBS-leading 33 touchdown passes this season. He has thrown just six interceptions. He has been instrumental in Indiana’s success this season as he has helped put together crucial wins despite late game mistakes.
Sayin is also competing for a national championship with the Buckeyes. Ohio State is the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff after losing to Indiana in the conference title game. Sayin had to compete for the starting job in the summer and was thrust into the role without much collegiate experience.
Indiana’s Isaiah Jones tackles Ohio State’s Julian Sayin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
INDIANA’S FERNANDO MENDOZA ‘FINDLY DESERVES SOME HEISMAN SUPPORT,’ EX-HOOSIERS STAR SAYS
With two star wide receivers in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate at his disposal, Sayin managed to throw for 3,329 yards and 31 touchdowns. He leads the nation with a 78.4 completion percentage.
Love proved to be the best running back in the nation despite Notre Dame missing out on a playoff berth. The junior amassed 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, upping his numbers from his sophomore season.
Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander (28) celebrates with quarterback Diego Pavia (2) after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love (4) is tackled by Stanford safety Charlie Eckhardt (39) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stanford, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Pavia is the group’s wild card. He has been one of the most vocal voices in becoming a finalist for the award. He certainly helped set Vanderbilt in the national spotlight with his game over the past two years. In 2025, he threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns.
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The Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Saturday.
