With just four names left in the running, the 2025 Heisman Trophy race has boiled down to a fascinating mix of elite quarterback play and one explosive running back who’s doing everything he can to break the QB stranglehold on college football’s most prestigious award. The finalists? Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, Diego Pavia, and Jeremiyah Love - three quarterbacks with wildly different styles and one dynamic back who’s made his case with every carry.
Let’s break down what each brings to the table - and who might be walking away with the hardware.
Fernando Mendoza: The Front-Runner with the Résumé to Match
If you’re looking for the guy with the cleanest case, look no further than Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The numbers are eye-popping, sure - 2,980 passing yards, 33 touchdowns through the air, six more on the ground - but it’s the context that really sets him apart.
Mendoza didn’t just put up stats; he led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 season, a Big Ten title (their first in decades), and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He was ruthlessly efficient, completing 71.5% of his passes, and showed poise in every big moment. Add in major awards like the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien, and Mendoza checks every box a Heisman voter could ask for: production, leadership, team success, and individual accolades.
He’s not just the favorite - he’s the standard this year.
Julian Sayin: Precision and Poise in Columbus
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin might not have the same narrative momentum as Mendoza, but don’t let that fool you - his season was nothing short of elite. The sophomore completed 78.4% of his passes - the best mark in the FBS - while throwing for 3,323 yards and 31 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
Sayin’s game is all about surgical efficiency. He kept the Buckeyes in every high-stakes matchup, handled pressure with maturity beyond his years, and consistently delivered in clutch situations. His passer rating was among the best in the country, and while he didn’t rack up quite as many wins as Mendoza, his individual performance was right there in the conversation.
If voters are looking for the most technically polished quarterback in the field, Sayin’s got a strong case.
Diego Pavia: The Dual-Threat Dynamo from Vanderbilt
Diego Pavia might be the most exciting player in this race when you factor in the dual-threat element. The Vanderbilt quarterback threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing over 71% of his passes - and that’s just half the story.
On the ground, Pavia rushed for 826 yards and nine touchdowns, giving him nearly 4,000 total yards of offense on the year. He was the engine behind one of the best seasons in Vanderbilt history, leading the Commodores to 10 wins and rewriting the school record books along the way.
He may not have the national spotlight of an Indiana or Ohio State, but Pavia’s versatility and impact on both phases of the offense make him one of the most complete players in the country.
Jeremiyah Love: The Lone Running Back Making a Statement
Then there’s Jeremiyah Love - the only non-quarterback in the final four, and boy, did he earn his spot. The Notre Dame back racked up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, averaging a blistering 6.9 yards per carry. He added 280 receiving yards and three more scores through the air, finishing with 21 total touchdowns.
Love didn’t just put up big numbers - he made history, breaking Notre Dame’s single-season touchdown record and leading the FBS in several key rushing and scoring categories. He also took home the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, cementing his place among the elite.
In a year dominated by quarterbacks, Love has been the rare back who forces voters to take notice. He’s explosive, consistent, and a game-changer every time he touches the ball.
The Verdict
Each finalist brings something unique to the table. Mendoza has the team success and the hardware.
Sayin has the precision and polish. Pavia is the do-it-all quarterback who carried his team to new heights.
And Love? He’s the throwback workhorse with modern explosiveness - a reminder that running backs can still own the spotlight.
The Heisman is always about more than just numbers. It’s about moments, leadership, and the impact a player has on their program. This year, the voters have four very different - but equally compelling - choices.
Whoever takes it home, one thing’s for sure: the 2025 Heisman class is stacked with talent, and each of these players has left a mark that won’t soon be forgotten.