{"id":9328,"date":"2025-12-14T00:03:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T00:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2025-heisman-top-10\/"},"modified":"2025-12-14T00:03:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T00:03:40","slug":"2025-heisman-top-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2025-heisman-top-10\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Heisman Trophy Top 10 Announced &#8211; Heisman"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p>On Dec. 11, 2025, the Heisman Trophy Trust and ESPN released the fifth through 10th places in the 2025 Heisman balloting during The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Finalists Show. The announcement completed the Top 10 field that included four finalists revealed earlier in the week: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin. The remaining six slots feature players from a mix of offensive and defensive positions, and the overall winner will be unveiled during the televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC. The distribution of finalists underscores program depth for some schools and marks several school-high placements.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Top 10 completion: 5th Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech, senior, LB); 6th Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State, sophomore, WR); 7th Gunner Stockton (Georgia, junior, QB); 8th Trinidad Chambliss (Mississippi, senior, QB); 9th Caleb Downs (Ohio State, junior, S); 10th Haynes King (Georgia Tech, senior, QB).<\/li>\n<li>Earlier finalists: Notre Dame junior RB Jeremiyah Love, Indiana senior QB Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt senior QB Diego Pavia and Ohio State freshman QB Julian Sayin were announced Dec. 8\u20139 and make up the top four finalists.<\/li>\n<li>Ohio State placed three players in the Top 10 (Sayin, Smith, Downs), the program\u2019s first trio in a single Top 10 since Alabama had three in 2020\u201321; it is the seventh time in the last eight seasons a team had at least two Top 10 finishers.<\/li>\n<li>Jacob Rodriguez\u2019s fifth-place finish is the highest for a primarily defensive player since Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan finished second in 2021.<\/li>\n<li>Jeremiah Smith is the first pure wide receiver to reach the Heisman Top 10 since Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2023; Caleb Downs and Rodriguez are the first defensive pair in the Top 10 together since 2021.<\/li>\n<li>Program milestones: Rodriguez is Texas Tech\u2019s highest finisher since 2008; Haynes King is Georgia Tech\u2019s first Top 10 selection since Calvin Johnson in 2006; Trinidad Chambliss is Mississippi\u2019s best result since Matt Corral\u2019s 2021 finish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Heisman Trophy is decided by a nationwide electorate of media voters, former winners and fans contributing via the fan vote, with results revealed in staged releases culminating in the televised ceremony. Historically, quarterbacks dominate the final ballot, but recent seasons have seen defensive standouts and skill-position players break through, reflecting evolving offensive schemes and all-purpose production. The Top 10 announcement process this year used two broadcasts: the Top 10 show on ESPN aired Dec. 11 to list fifth through 10th places, while the full ceremony and winner reveal are scheduled for ABC on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n<p>College programs treat Heisman recognition as both a team and individual prestige marker\u2014impacting recruiting narratives, NFL scouting visibility and program branding. The presence of multiple players from a single school in the Top 10 can indicate roster depth, a high-usage offense or standout defensive playmaking. Voter behavior also reacts to narrative arcs (comeback seasons, record-breaking campaigns) and to perceived strength of schedule, which can shift marginal ballots late in the process.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>During the ESPN Top 10 Finalists Show on Dec. 11, the Heisman Trust sequentially unveiled places five through 10. Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was named fifth, marking a rare high finish for a primarily defensive player. Ohio State landed two more entries with sophomore receiver Jeremiah Smith at sixth and junior safety Caleb Downs at ninth, joining freshman quarterback Julian Sayin among the finalists.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia\u2019s Gunner Stockton and Georgia Tech\u2019s Haynes King both earned top-10 recognition, at seventh and 10th respectively, renewing attention on the programs\u2019 quarterback pipelines. Mississippi senior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took eighth, giving the Rebels their highest placing since 2021. The combined Top 10 lists offensive playmakers and defensive difference-makers, highlighting a season with standout performers across units.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement reiterated earlier disclosures of the top four finalists\u2014Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) and Julian Sayin (Ohio State)\u2014who remain the primary contenders for the trophy to be decided on Dec. 13. With the broadcast scheduled on ABC at 7 p.m. ET, networks and programs are preparing feature packages and post-ceremony coverage anticipating immediate implications for award voting narratives and postseason evaluations.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>The inclusion of two defensive players (Rodriguez and Downs) in the Top 10 signals that voters are willing to reward defensive impact when a defender\u2019s season is demonstrably game-changing. Rodriguez\u2019s placement at fifth\u2014highest for a defensive-only player since 2021\u2014could encourage future recognition of defenders who produce high-visibility stats and game-turning plays. That said, quarterbacks still occupy many of the top slots, reflecting positional voting tendencies.<\/p>\n<p>Ohio State\u2019s three Top 10 finishers will be scrutinized as both a testament to roster talent and as a potential vote-splitting factor if voters divide preference among Buckeye nominees. For programs, multiple finalists provide recruiting leverage and national exposure; for the award race, internal team representation can dilute concentrated support behind a single candidate.<\/p>\n<p>For prospects eyeing the NFL, a Heisman Top 10 placement raises profile but does not always predict draft position; evaluators weigh tape, physical traits and positional value alongside awards. School milestones\u2014Texas Tech\u2019s highest finish since 2008 or Georgia Tech\u2019s first Top 10 since 2006\u2014also shape alumni and booster narratives that influence program resources and coaching job security in close-margin cases.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Place<\/th>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>School<\/th>\n<th>Position<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>1\u20134<\/td>\n<td>Jeremiyah Love; Fernando Mendoza; Diego Pavia; Julian Sayin<\/td>\n<td>Notre Dame; Indiana; Vanderbilt; Ohio State<\/td>\n<td>RB; QB; QB; QB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Jacob Rodriguez<\/td>\n<td>Texas Tech<\/td>\n<td>LB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Jeremiah Smith<\/td>\n<td>Ohio State<\/td>\n<td>WR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Gunner Stockton<\/td>\n<td>Georgia<\/td>\n<td>QB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>Trinidad Chambliss<\/td>\n<td>Mississippi<\/td>\n<td>QB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Caleb Downs<\/td>\n<td>Ohio State<\/td>\n<td>S<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Haynes King<\/td>\n<td>Georgia Tech<\/td>\n<td>QB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above summarizes placements by rank, school and position. Compared with recent years, this ballot continues a quarterback-heavy pattern but also registers meaningful exceptions: two defensive players and a pure wide receiver in the Top 10. Those deviations offer insight into how voters weighed distinct season narratives and position value in 2025.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The depth across positions this season is notable, with both offensive and defensive game-changers represented in the Top 10,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>ESPN college football analyst (on-air commentary)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;We are pleased to see a broad cross-section of schools recognized; these finalists represent a national season of standout performances,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Heisman Trophy Trust (official statement)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Fans are excited and divided \u2014 Ohio State\u2019s three finalists add an extra layer to the Dec. 13 reveal,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>College football social-media roundup (public reaction)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How Heisman Voting Works<\/summary>\n<p>The Heisman Trophy ballot is compiled from media voters in six regions of the United States, previous Heisman winners and a single collective fan vote. Voters rank their top three candidates; points are awarded (three for first, two for second, one for third) and tallied nationally. The Heisman Trust validates ballots and releases results in stages, culminating in the televised presentation. The process blends statistical performance, narrative impact and regional perspectives in a single national award.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Exact vote totals and regional breakdowns have not been released publicly by the Heisman Trust.<\/li>\n<li>Any late shifts in voter preference ahead of the Dec. 13 ceremony are speculative until final tallies are confirmed on air.<\/li>\n<li>Reports about which voters specifically supported multiple Ohio State players are not available; individual ballot details remain private.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The Dec. 11 Top 10 release framed a Heisman race that balances quarterback prominence with notable entries from defense and skill positions. Ohio State\u2019s three finalists emphasize program depth and create both narrative advantage and potential vote fragmentation opposite single-candidate campaigns from other schools. Observers should watch how national narratives and broadcast moments during the Dec. 13 ceremony influence final impressions among the electorate.<\/p>\n<p>When the Heisman Trophy winner is announced on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, the result will reflect both season-long production and the late-stage narratives voters prioritize. Until the official tally is revealed, the Top 10 list offers the clearest available snapshot of the season\u2019s standouts and the programs that produced them.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heisman.com\/articles\/2025-heisman-trophy-top-10-announced\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Heisman Trophy Trust \u2014 Official announcement (organizer)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN \u2014 Broadcaster and program coverage (broadcaster)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/abc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ABC \u2014 Televised Heisman Ceremony schedule (broadcaster)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Dec. 11, 2025, the Heisman Trophy Trust and ESPN released the fifth through 10th places in the 2025 Heisman balloting during The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Finalists Show. The announcement completed the Top 10 field that included four finalists revealed earlier in the week: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt &#8230; <a title=\"2025 Heisman Trophy Top 10 Announced &#8211; Heisman\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/2025-heisman-top-10\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 2025 Heisman Trophy Top 10 Announced &#8211; Heisman\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"2025 Heisman Trophy Top 10 Announced \u2014 Heisman","rank_math_description":"Heisman released its Top 10 on Dec. 11, 2025 \u2014 including three Ohio State players. The winner will be revealed Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC; full analysis inside.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"heisman, 2025, top 10, Ohio State, Jacob Rodriguez","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9328\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}