The Heisman Trust announced the 2025 finalists during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown on , with the full list posted on the Heisman website and social channels. Four players — three quarterbacks and one running back — will head to New York for the trophy ceremony on at 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC. The College Football Playoff, featuring several of these finalists, begins on . The finalists are Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana), Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt) and Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State).
Key Takeaways
- Four finalists were named; three are quarterbacks and one is a running back, marking the only non-QB finalist this year.
- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) posted 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 6.9 yards per carry, 27 catches for 280 yards and three receiving TDs.
- Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) led an historic 13-0 regular season with 2,980 passing yards, an FBS-leading 33 passing TDs, six interceptions and a 71.5% completion rate.
- Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) finished with 3,192 passing yards, 27 TDs, eight interceptions, a 71.2% completion rate, plus 826 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs.
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State) recorded 3,329 passing yards, 31 TDs, six interceptions and an FBS-leading 78.4% completion percentage for a 12-1 Buckeyes team.
- The Heisman ceremony is set for on ABC; the CFP begins on , potentially affecting visibility for finalists who also play in the playoff.
Background
The Heisman Memorial Trophy remains college football’s most visible individual award, decided by a combined vote of media, former winners and, in some seasons, public balloting. Recent years have seen a quarterback-heavy finalist pool; 2025 continues that trend with three QBs among four finalists. Voter emphasis typically blends peak-season statistics, team success and signature moments — items all four finalists produced at different times this season. The announcement was broadcast during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. ET and mirrored on the Heisman Trust’s official channels.
College Football Playoff scheduling has introduced a new variable for finalists who also play in the playoff: national exposure in New York versus playoff preparation and prime-time television in mid-December. Notre Dame’s decision to opt out of a bowl game concluded Jeremiyah Love’s season early, concentrating voter attention on his regular-season numbers rather than a postseason showcase. Indiana’s unbeaten run and Big Ten title — its first in nearly 60 years — elevated Fernando Mendoza’s profile ahead of voters. Vanderbilt and Ohio State each provided signature moments for their quarterbacks that carried weight in late-season ballots.
Main Event
The Heisman finalists were revealed live on ESPN and online, setting the stage for the award ceremony in New York on December 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC. The announcement reiterated the season narratives voters weighed: team success, statistical excellence and high-impact plays. With the College Football Playoff beginning on December 19, the finalists who advance will balance playoff preparation with the trophy build-up in New York.
Jeremiyah Love is the lone non-quarterback finalist after a standout season for Notre Dame. Love totaled 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, averaged 6.9 yards per carry, and added 27 receptions for 280 yards with three receiving touchdowns. Notre Dame finished the regular season 10-2 and elected not to participate in a bowl game, leaving Love’s Heisman case tied entirely to his regular-season output.
Fernando Mendoza fueled Indiana’s historic 13-0 run and a 13-10 Big Ten title win over Ohio State, giving the Hoosiers a first conference crown in nearly six decades. Mendoza completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards and an FBS-leading 33 touchdowns against six interceptions. Indiana enters the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed, and Mendoza’s efficiency and team success are central elements of his Heisman résumé.
Diego Pavia and Julian Sayin round out the finalist group as Heisman-caliber quarterbacks from Vanderbilt and Ohio State, respectively. Pavia combined a 71.2% completion rate with 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 826 rushing yards with nine rushing scores, producing numerous late-season highlights. Sayin, a redshirt freshman, completed a remarkable first season as a starter with 3,329 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and a 78.4% completion percentage for a 12-1 Ohio State squad.
Analysis & Implications
The 2025 finalist list underscores the continued tilt toward quarterbacks in voter decision-making; nonetheless Jeremiyah Love’s inclusion as a running back shows that dominant position-specific production still breaks through. Love’s rushing efficiency (6.9 yards per carry) and scoring output make a compelling case among voters who weigh per-touch impact. His decision to end Notre Dame’s season early by opting out of a bowl game removes a postseason highlight reel but preserves his regular-season narrative intact for voters.
Fernando Mendoza’s combination of team success and individual efficiency — an FBS-leading 33 passing touchdowns and 71.5% completion rate — aligns with recent Heisman winners who married statistical dominance to marquee wins. Indiana’s 13-0 record and Big Ten title amplify Mendoza’s profile and may sway voters who prioritize team results alongside counting stats. If Indiana advances in the CFP, Mendoza will gain additional high-visibility moments that could further his ballot standing.
Diego Pavia’s dual-threat production makes him an attractive alternative to traditional pocket passers, especially among voters valuing multi-dimensional impact. Julian Sayin’s extraordinary completion rate (78.4%) and rookie narrative as a redshirt freshman provide a compelling story arc that could attract votes from those who reward accuracy and poise. Ultimately, the Heisman often balances narrative, statistics and team achievements; the 2025 finalists present distinct mixes of those elements, making the final vote less predictable.
Comparison & Data
| Player | School | Pos | Passing Yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Comp% | Rush Yds | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | RB | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,372 | 18 |
| Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | QB | 2,980 | 33 | 6 | 71.5% | — | — |
| Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt | QB | 3,192 | 27 | 8 | 71.2% | 826 | 9 |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | QB | 3,329 | 31 | 6 | 78.4% | — | — |
The table highlights different paths to Heisman contention: Love’s ground-first efficiency and scoring, Mendoza’s touchdown production and team record, Pavia’s mixed passing/rushing output, and Sayin’s elite accuracy. Voter choices will likely hinge on how they prioritize efficiency metrics versus raw totals and team success.
Reactions & Quotes
“Tonight’s finalists reflect a season where efficiency and signature wins mattered.”
Heisman Trust (official announcement)
“Mendoza’s 13-0 run changed Indiana’s program narrative and made him impossible to ignore.”
College football analyst (media)
“Love proved he can be a matchup nightmare every time he touches the ball.”
Voter / former player (public reaction)
Unconfirmed
- Whether postseason College Football Playoff performances will alter final Heisman vote totals remains to be seen until official tallies are released.
- Any last-minute shifts in voter sentiment tied to media narratives in the days before December 13 are possible but unverified.
- Speculation about how Jeremiyah Love’s NFL draft stock will be affected by his decision to skip a bowl game is not confirmed and depends on scouts’ private evaluations.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Heisman finalist list offers a clear QB-dominant lineup with a single high-impact running back breaking through. Voters will weigh contrasting cases: Love’s elite rushing efficiency and scoring, Mendoza’s touchdown leadership and unbeaten team record, Pavia’s dual-threat versatility, and Sayin’s historic accuracy as a freshman.
With the ceremony set for December 13 and the College Football Playoff beginning December 19, remaining days before the vote could shape final perceptions. The award could reward a season-long body of work or be influenced by late narratives; either way, the finalists present distinct arguments and the outcome should reflect the balance voters strike between statistics, team success and defining moments.
Sources
- On3 — Media report summarizing finalist announcement and season statistics.
- Heisman Trust — Official award site and announcement (official).
- ESPN — Monday Night Countdown broadcast where finalists were revealed (media/broadcast).
- College Football Playoff — Official CFP schedule and seeding information (official).