(Photo: Heisman)

Saturday Spotlight

The 2025 Heisman Trophy Preview

1. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana):

What a story he has been this year. He transferred from the California Golden Bears to the Indiana Hoosiers, and the rest is history. What I admire most about him is the toughness he plays with. Fernando isn’t the biggest guy in stature, but he has heart and plays with swagger and tenacity. I love the command he has of the Hoosiers’ offense, making sure everyone is where they need to be. Fernando may not have the strongest arm, but he places the ball in the right spots and only where his intended receiver can get it. He has exceptional poise under pressure, solid accuracy, and—most importantly—is a leader who wants what’s best for the football team. This is the type of guy you want to play alongside each and every Saturday. Fernando is also a true dual threat, capable of attacking defenses not just with his arm, but with his legs. What a year he’s had for the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

2. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame):

I thought he was one of the best non-quarterbacks in the country this year. I’m glad to see that running the football hasn’t gone out of style. While the sport has become pass-happy—which isn’t a bad thing—running the ball can help set up the pass. There were times when I felt the Fighting Irish relied on C.J. Carr to do a little too much, and I kept calling for them to establish the two-headed monster of Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. The running game was crucial, and when Jeremiyah became the focal point of the offense, good things happened. He plays with a rare combination of vision, speed, and power, making him incredibly difficult to tackle in the open field. Throughout the year, Jeremiyah showcased his breakaway speed with long touchdowns, while also adding hurdle highlights to the reel. He’s a legitimate three-down back with the ability to line up in the slot as a receiver.

3. Julian Sayin (Ohio State):

The talk surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes this season was their defense—and rightfully so, as it was the best unit in the nation. Jeremiah Smith also received his share of recognition, but throughout the year, I noticed how the quarterback continued to climb the ladder. After Will Howard left for the NFL, Ryan Day turned to Julian Sayin as his starting quarterback, and he didn’t disappoint. The first thing that stands out when watching Julian is his pinpoint accuracy. There were games where he finished with more touchdown passes than incompletions. He consistently took what the defense gave him and never forced the football—if the play wasn’t there, he threw it away or found another option. Julian processes information quickly, releases the ball fast, and most importantly, avoided costly mistakes while taking excellent care of the football. He also has a strong ability to move on quickly from past plays.

4. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt):

The Vanderbilt Commodores finished 10–2, a university best, and their offense was one of the elite groups in the nation—largely because of Diego Pavia. I often heard comparisons to Johnny Manziel, which are fair, but he also carries a swagger reminiscent of Joe Burrow’s time at LSU (and still does today). Diego was everything to this Commodores offense, leading the team in both passing and rushing at times. He led the SEC in touchdown passes with 27 and led the nation in total touchdowns by a quarterback with 36. Diego attacked defenses with both his arm and his legs. He was the offense and the catalyst behind a unit that became elite in 2025. What stood out most was his confidence—he believed he could complete every pass and pick up every first down with his feet. Playing with someone like that, the energy becomes contagious. He deserves this invitation without question.

Prediction:

I want to extend my congratulations to all four candidates, as they each deserve to be here. Unfortunately, only one can win the award. To me, Fernando Mendoza won this trophy back in October after leading the Hoosiers into Autzen Stadium and knocking off the then–third-ranked Oregon Ducks. Then, last week in Indianapolis, he led Indiana to a win over the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game. After that, nothing more needed to be said. Fernando will take home this award and join a prestigious club. Where would the Hoosiers be without No. 15? He led the nation in touchdown passes with 32, and without him, Indiana isn’t the top seed in the College Football Playoff—nor are they likely a playoff team at all. This offense was good last year, but it became great this season because of Fernando’s contributions. When his team needed a big throw, he delivered every time his number was called. This year, the Heisman Trophy is heading to Bloomington—and it will be well deserved.