College football Heisman watch: Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin stay hot as the race intensifies

With just two weeks of the 2025 college football regular season remaining, the runners and riders for the most prestigious individual accolade in the sport are taking shape.

The iconic Heisman Trophy has been awarded annually since 1935, recognising ‘outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity’. It was created by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York and was named in 1936 after the club's athletic director, John Heisman.

So who’s been the best of the best in college football this year? With the finish line in sight, here are my top five contenders.

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1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It’s been a season to remember for Fernando Mendoza, who had options when he jumped into the transfer portal in the Summer.

The former Cal QB raised a few eyebrows when he eschewed overtures from the likes of Georgia in favour of Indiana. But pairing up with Curt Cignetti was a wise decision, as the Hoosiers have somehow improved on a 2024 campaign that saw them make the playoffs for the first time in their history.

Indiana are now 11-0, another school record, and enjoyed a defining win at Oregon that has seen them ranked #2 for the past month or more. Much of that is down to Mendoza, who has 2,641 yards and 30 touchdowns through the air, and another 216 yards and five scores on the ground. With just five interceptions the whole year, Mendoza has been one of the most consistent QBs in college football.

Perhaps what sets Indiana’s gunslinger out as the favourite is his ‘Heisman moment’; leading Indiana to a comeback win against Penn State with THAT pass to Omar Cooper with just 36 seconds left.

Mendoza ticks all the boxes, and is my favourite to lift the famous trophy next month.

2. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

In any other year, Julian Sayin might be leading the race for the Heisman trophy. Ohio State’s sophomore quarterback has been a machine in 2025; leading the undefeated Buckeyes to big wins on a weekly basis.

2,675 yards and 25 TDs (and an absurd 80.1% pass completion percentage) with just four interceptions tell the tale of his dominance over Big Ten defenses, and all of this in his first year as a starter.

Perhaps Sayin is being unfairly punished because of Ohio State’s dominance; the Buckeyes have rarely been in danger of losing a game this year, meaning their quarterback hasn’t had the opportunity to put the team on his back in key moments like Mendoza has.

With the two likely facing off a week before the ceremony in the Big Ten championship game, there’ll be at least one opportunity for Sayin to challenge the current pecking order.

3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Heisman Trophy is awarded almost exclusively to skill-position players on offense. And of those, quarterbacks tend to dominate the scene unless it’s a particularly poor year under center.

But Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is one name with the ability and performances to challenge the conventional thinking.

Last year, Love ran for 1,125 yards in 16 games. This season, he’s already surpassed that mark, and the Fighting Irish have only played in 10 contests to date.

Love packs 216 pounds of power onto a six-foot frame that no other ball carrier in the game can compete with. And the scary thing? He’s heating up as we approach the business end of the campaign, with an outrageous 605 yards in the last four games.

It’s a tough year to break the quarterback grip on the Heisman trophy. But if anyone is worthy of striking the pose, it’s Love.

4. Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M

Dark horse alert! Marcel Reed is finally starting to get the attention he deserves as Texas A&M turns more and more heads with their unbeaten record.

The Aggies quarterback has seen some tough times in College Station, but it seems like things are on the up under the stewardship of Mike Elko. And Reed has been at the forefront of that renaissance, delivering both through the air and on the ground.

If you’re looking for a real ‘dual threat’ quarterback, Reed is the candidate that best fits the description; 2,632 yards and 22 TD’s passing are complemented with nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns rushing.

And then there was that comeback on Saturday, where the dynamic Reed dragged his team back from a 27-point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina 31-30. Talk about a Heisman moment…

With A&M on course for a conference title and a bye in the playoffs, Reed is riding a hot hand in the Heisman race.

5. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia has been the catalyst that has transformed Vanderbilt from SEC cellar-dwellers to college football playoff hopefuls.

The former New Mexico State quarterback fought the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility and won, and he’s making full use of his final season in Nashville.

The Commodores are more accustomed to losing ten games than they are winning that number, but with two matchups left, they have hope of the first double-digit winning season in program history.

Pavia has undoubtedly made the difference. More than 3,000 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns show his value to Vanderbilt, but the quarterback might be suffering from overexposure fatigue.

In direct contrast to Reed, Pavia’s campaign has been heavily highlighted. And with Vandy dropping two of the last five games, perhaps he and the Commodores are trending in the wrong direction.

Nevertheless, Pavia’s body of work stands on its own merit. And a trip to New York is not out of the question.

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The Chasing Pack

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton’s stock is on the rise as the Bulldogs bulldoze their way to the playoffs.

Haynes King has put his body on the line for Georgia Tech for the past three years, and the QB has the Yellow Jackets in line for an ACC title game berth.

And if you want a name on defense that really deserves consideration? How about Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who has 100 tackles, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and a rushing touchdown for good measure?

Final word

It’s shaping up to be an incredibly tight contest in the fight to be crowned the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. Make sure to check back in future weeks to see how this race is unfolding.

In the meantime, if you're new to college football and haven't yet selected a team, check out our guide on how to make your choice.

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