Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy

Indiana continued placing itself at the center of the college football universe Saturday, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy as the top player in the country.

Mendoza is the first player in Indiana's history to take home college football's top honor. He beat out Vanderbilt passer Diego Pavia, Ohio State signal-caller Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

The Cal transfer immediately made an impact in his first season with the Hoosiers, throwing for 14 touchdowns in his first four games at his new program. He would finish with 33 on the season to lead the country, throwing for 2,980 yards and completing over 71% of his passes.

However, Mendoza's candidacy was built on much more than stats - as the redshirt-junior passer rose to the occasion in the biggest moments on Indiana's magical run. He delivered in the clutch time and again all season, especially when the pressure was highest. Mendoza shone in comeback wins over Iowa, Penn State and Ohio State - with his game-winning touchdown pass against the Nittany Lions arguably the play of the year.

Mendoza had the good fortune of joining the juggernaut Curt Cignetti had built in just one year at Indiana, however, he was clearly the upgrade at quarterback needed to get the Hoosiers on the same level as the elite programs in the country.

The Heisman is the latest honor in his breakout season, as Mendoza already claimed the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback and the Maxwell Award as the country's best player, and was named the Associated Press' Player of the Year.

"I want every kid out there who feels overlooked, underestimated to know I was you," Mendoza said after receiving the Heisman Trophy. "I was that kid, too. I was in your shoes. The truth is you don't need the most stars, hype or rankings. You just need discipline, heart, and people who believe in you. And you need to believe in your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams are worth it, no matter how big or impossible they seem."

Runner-up Pavia, who was the first Heisman finalist in Vanderbilt history, completed 71.2% of his passes this season for 3192 yards and 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He also added nine scores on the ground, giving him a total of 36 touchdowns. More importantly, the Commodores won 10 games with Pavia under center this season, the most in the school's history.