New York City is abuzz with anticipation as college football's brightest stars gather for the unveiling of the 2025 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner. On Monday, December 8, 2025, the Heisman Trophy Trust officially announced the four finalists who will vie for the coveted award: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. The prestigious ceremony, where the 91st annual Heisman Trophy winner will be revealed, is scheduled to air live on Saturday, December 13, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
A Quartet of Excellence: Breaking Down the Finalists' Seasons
The selection of these four athletes highlights a season of remarkable individual performances and team successes across the collegiate landscape. Each finalist brings a compelling narrative and an impressive statistical resume to the table, making the 2025 Heisman race one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Representing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, junior running back Jeremiyah Love has been a dynamic force throughout the 2025 season. Love ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards with 1,372, fifth in yards per game with 114.33, and third with 18 rushing touchdowns. His versatility extends beyond the ground game, as he also recorded 27 receptions for 280 yards and three receiving touchdowns. In total, Love amassed 1,652 all-purpose yards, placing him fourth nationally, and scored a remarkable 21 total touchdowns, ranking second in the nation. His 21 all-purpose touchdowns surpassed Jerome Bettis' 1991 school record for most in a regular season, while his 18 rushing scores matched Notre Dame's single-season program record. Love consistently found the end zone, scoring at least one touchdown in his final 11 games of the season. He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark six times, including a Notre Dame Stadium record and season-best 228 yards in a significant victory over rival USC. He also posted 171 yards on just eight carries against Syracuse, tallying a career-high three rushing scores, and added 157 yards against Purdue. Love is Notre Dame's sixth Heisman finalist and the first since Manti Te'o in 2012.
Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza has orchestrated a historic season for his program. Named the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Player and Quarterback of the Year, Mendoza also earned All-Big Ten first-team honors. He guided Indiana to an undefeated 13-0 record, their first Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State, and the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking, securing a top seed in the College Football Playoff. In his inaugural season with Indiana after transferring from California, Mendoza completed 226 of 316 passes for 2,980 yards, leading the nation with 33 touchdown passes. He also contributed with his legs, rushing for 240 yards and six additional scores. Mendoza ranks second nationally in total touchdowns accounted for (39) and in quarterback rating (181.39), while also being sixth in completion percentage (71.5). His 33 touchdown passes set a new school single-season record, and he recorded five games with four or more scoring passes. Mendoza delivered a season-high 332 yards and four touchdowns in a win against Michigan State. He completed over 85% of his passes four times this year and threw at least one touchdown pass in every game except the season opener. Mendoza, who was voted MVP of the Big Ten Championship Game, is Indiana's second Heisman finalist, following Anthony Thompson in 1989. He is currently the overwhelming favorite to win the award, with odds climbing to -1200 at DraftKings Sportsbook after Indiana's victory over Ohio State.
Diego Pavia, Quarterback, Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has made history for the Commodores, becoming the program's first-ever Heisman finalist. The senior led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season in school history. Pavia, the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, completed 242 of 340 passes for a school-record 3,192 yards, placing him tied for eighth nationally with 27 touchdowns. His completion percentage of 71.2 also ranked eighth nationally. Pavia proved to be a dual-threat, rushing for 826 yards and nine touchdowns, tying for fourth nationally in total touchdowns accounted for (36). He surpassed 300 passing yards on four occasions, including a career-high 484 yards and five touchdowns against Kentucky, 377 against Auburn, and 365 against Texas.
Julian Sayin, Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, a sophomore, led the Buckeyes to a 12-0 regular season record and a No. 2 seed in the CFP tournament, where they will receive a first-round bye. Sayin has been a consistent performer, throwing at least one touchdown pass in every game this season and only six interceptions. He passed for over 300 yards six times and threw for four touchdowns in a game on three occasions. Sayin helped Ohio State snap a four-game losing streak to rival Michigan with a strong performance, throwing for 233 yards and three scoring passes in that contest. He threw for 3,323 yards and tied for second nationally with 31 touchdown passes. His remarkable 78.4% completion percentage leads the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2025 and is the highest in FBS history. Sayin is Ohio State's 11th Heisman finalist and their seventh since 2018, a testament to the program's consistent talent.
Beyond the Heisman: Other Accolades and the Road Ahead
The talent of these four finalists extends beyond the Heisman Trophy. All four are also finalists for the 2025 Walter Camp Award. Additionally, Love, Mendoza, and Sayin are finalists for the 2025 Maxwell Award. Mendoza and Sayin are in contention for the 2025 Davey O'Brien Award, while Love is a finalist for the 2025 Doak Walker Award.
The Heisman Trophy ceremony promises to be a captivating event, celebrating the individual brilliance that defines college football. With each player showcasing exceptional skill and leading their teams to remarkable achievements, the decision for voters will undoubtedly be a challenging one. Football fans eagerly await Saturday night's announcement to see which of these deserving athletes will hoist the iconic bronze trophy.
