Breaking: I can confirm the Heisman Trophy Trust has named four finalists for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be in New York on Dec. 13. The race is tight on resume and story. The split is clear. Team glory versus raw production. The sport’s most famous trophy is on the line.
The Field, at a Glance
Mendoza enters as the favorite. Indiana is 13-0 with a Big Ten title. He threw for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns, and added steady yards on the ground. He did not wobble in the spotlight. He owned it.
Pavia is the wildcard. He passed for 3,192 yards and ran for 826 more. Vanderbilt just posted the first 10-win season in school history. He was the engine and the edge, every Saturday.
Sayin set the standard in accuracy. He completed 78.4 percent of his passes and threw for 3,329 yards with 31 touchdowns. Ohio State took a late hit with the loss in the Big Ten title game, but his command never dipped.
Love is the lone running back. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 scores. He also added 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Notre Dame missed the Playoff and will not play in a bowl, yet his tape pops on every carry.
Heisman voters tend to reward elite play on elite teams. Big moments in November often swing ballots.
How Voters May Split
This year is a clash of values. Mendoza offers a clean blend of winning and numbers. Voters love quarterbacks who are steady and clutch on title runs. He checks every box. If hardware follows team success, he could win by a clear margin.
Pavia makes a different case. Vanderbilt changed its ceiling, and he is the reason. Dual threat quarterbacks can pull voters when their impact goes beyond the stat line. He turned third downs into first downs. He turned belief into wins.
Sayin is precision. His efficiency numbers are the best in the field. Some voters may see the loss to Indiana as the deciding hit. Others will see a poised leader who gave Ohio State a Playoff path and elevated every receiver on the roster.
Love fights history. Running backs rarely win today without a Playoff push. Still, his 6.9 yards per carry and 21 total touchdowns are hard to ignore. He gave Notre Dame an identity and a spark, even when defenses loaded the box.
Player-by-Player Deep Dive
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza is the pilot of the nation’s surprise unbeaten. He delivers on schedule and under pressure. The touchdown total is strong, but his best trait is game control. Indiana sits as the number one seed for a reason. He made the routine look easy, and the tough throws on time.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Pavia is the chaos creator. He throws with edge and runs with power. His 3,192 passing yards, plus 826 rushing yards and nine rushing scores, tell only part of the story. He shifted Vanderbilt’s culture. He dragged drives into the red zone. He turned a program into a problem for every defense.
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Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Sayin is smooth. He rarely puts the ball in harm’s way. The 78.4 percent completion rate is elite at any level. He reads leverage, hits windows, and owns the middle of the field. The late loss dented the optics. The tape still screams big time quarterback.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love runs with burst and vision. He hits creases fast, then finishes runs with balance. The Irish did not reach the Playoff, and that can weigh on ballots. Even so, 18 rushing touchdowns and a school record 21 total scores stand up in any room.
Key dates: The finalists preview show airs Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Heisman ceremony is Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
What Happens Next
The next four days are about tone and timing. Interviews, practice looks, and final pitches will shape minds. Bettors already lean to Mendoza. Some voters may hold until the last hour. History says quarterbacks drive this award. This field says do not underestimate impact.
- Watch for a QB vote split that could open a lane for Pavia or Love
- Small shifts in late ballots if efficiency wins the argument for Sayin
- A push toward team success that keeps Mendoza in front
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the 2025 Heisman finalists?
A: Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt, Julian Sayin of Ohio State, and Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame.
Q: When is the Heisman ceremony?
A: Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
Q: Why is Mendoza the favorite?
A: He led a 13-0 team, won the Big Ten, and posted 33 passing touchdowns with mistake-free play.
Q: Can a running back still win the Heisman?
A: Yes, but it is tough without a Playoff push. Love’s numbers keep him in the fight.
Q: What could swing late ballots?
A: Team success, elite efficiency, and the sense that one player changed a program.
The finalists are set. The narratives are clear. Now the votes decide whether perfect balance, wild impact, clean precision, or pure power takes home the trophy. The country’s most famous bronze waits in New York. Trophy night is almost here. 🏆
