2025 Heisman Trophy Contenders

Quarterbacks have dominated the Heisman Trophy voting over the last quarter century. In 2000, Chris Weinke kicked off a run that saw signal callers win the Heisman Trophy in 20 of the last 25 years. Thus, it’s no surprise to see a group of quarterbacks atop the Heisman Trophy betting odds. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the favorite at this point in time, but Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is not far behind him in the oddsmakers. Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia are also in the running for college football’s top individual honor.

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)

The last two seasons have been a dream for Indiana fans. This program has been a whipping boy for the Big Ten powerhouses since the Hoosiers were part of the conference’s first expansion all the way back in 1899. Indiana never won more than nine games in a season until Curt Cignetti took over, and he has the Hoosiers poised to make the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons with Fernando Mendoza at the helm.

Mendoza spent his first two seasons with California before coming to Bloomington before this season. That decision has paid off magnificently for both player and program as Indiana is 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the CFP Rankings with Mendoza leading the way. For his part, Mendoza is guaranteed at least an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony. He has completed 73% of his passes for 9.5 YPA with 30 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he has also run for five touchdowns. 

Indiana is 11-0, so Mendoza will only have two more chances to impress Heisman Trophy voters. He has the potential to stuff the stat sheet against Purdue, as the Hoosiers crushed the Boilermakers 66-0 to win the Old Oaken Bucket last year. However, his Heisman Trophy chances probably rest on his performance in a likely No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Julian Sayin (Ohio State)

Sophomore Julian Sayin was rewarded for staying at Ohio State after being the third-string quarterback behind Will Howard and Devin Brown last year. Sayin won the starting quarterback job in the summer, and he endured a rough first start against No. 1 Texas in the season opener.

Ryan Day stuck to his guns even though some were calling for a change after the game against the Longhorns. Sayin has proven Day correct in his decision, as he has thrown for 2,549 yards with 24 touchdowns and four interceptions over the last nine games. That production is a large part of why Ohio State hasn’t won a game by fewer than 18 points since the season opening win over Texas.

Sayin could post big numbers against Rutgers this Saturday. Oregon’s Dante Moore lit up the Scarlet Knights as the Ducks scored 56 points in the first three quarters. His performance against Michigan will be vastly more important though as the Buckeyes lost to the Wolverines in their regular season finale against their arch rival last year. Additionally, Michigan is 6-1 in conference play, so Ohio State could be left out of the Big Ten Championship Game if the Buckeyes are unable to beat the Wolverines once again.

Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)

Although Marcel Reed is considered the third favorite to win the Heisman Trophy per the CFB futures odds, he should be more of a longshot. Reed is only placed among the favorites because Texas A&M is sitting atop the SEC at 10-0. The Aggies are one of three unbeaten teams along with Ohio State and Indiana, but Reed has not meant nearly as much to his team’s success as Mendoza and Sayin.

Reed is completing just 61.5% of his passes, and he has been too mistake prone. That nearly cost the Aggies against South Carolina last week, as Reed threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, but he put up big stats in the second half to stave off an upset. He also threw two interceptions against LSU in late October, and that was another game in which Texas A&M was forced to overcome a halftime deficit. 

Texas A&M plays Samford this week, and even a massive performance from Reed won’t move the needle as the Bulldogs are 1-10 at the FCS level. Reed can boost his case if he carves up the Longhorns, but it’s highly unlikely that he wins the Heisman Trophy.

Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)

New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia has been incredible during his two seasons with Vanderbilt. Pavia has lit a fire under the Commodores, leading the program to their first bowl win since the James Franklin era last year, and they are currently ranked No. 14 in the CFP. Vanderbilt’s only two losses this season were on the road against Alabama and Texas, so the Commodores will probably make the CFP if they win their last two games.

Pavis has been the catalyst behind Vandy’s success. The gritty senior is completing 70% of his passes for 8.9 YPA with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is also the team’s leading rusher with 613 yards and seven touchdowns, and he is averaging 5.2 YPC.

If anyone outside the Midwest is going to win the Heisman Trophy, it will be Pavia. His importance to the program can’t be understated, and he has the potential to post big numbers in rivalry games against Kentucky and Tennessee to close out the regular season.

Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

The only non-quarterback with a chance to win the Heisman Trophy is the nation’s best running back. Jeremiyah Love has run for 1,135 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging an incredible 6.4 YPC. Love opened the scoring for the Fighting Irish in their 37-15 drubbing of Pittsburgh last Saturday with a highlight reel run, and he shredded USC last month.

It’s tough to see a path for Love even if he has huge games to close out the regular season. Notre Dame is a big favorite against both Syracuse and Stanford, and gaudy numbers against those teams won’t mean much. Furthermore, Marcus Freeman has made sure not to overwork his standout running back, and it’s unlikely Freeman will give Love a lot of carries since Notre Dame is poised to make the CFP.