Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has won the 2025 Heisman Trophy — one of the most prestigious honors in all of sports that is given annually to the best player in college football. Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia was the second-place finisher and the first finalist for the award in program history.
Pavia has already received numerous honors this off-season for his 2025 campaign, even though he did not come home victorious at the Heisman ceremony in New York, earning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award and All-SEC first team honors.
The sixth-year from Albuquerque, New Mexico, led Vanderbilt to a program-best 10-2 record that included four ranked wins. His 4018 all-purpose yards led all FBS players this season.
Pavia had 189 first-place votes to Mendoza’s 643, with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin coming in third and fourth place, respectively. Pavia received roughly 29% of the total points available. He did best in the South Region voting, where he received 321 points and worst in the Midwest, where he got just 183. Mendoza and Sayin will compete in the College Football Playoff, with both of their squads earning first-round byes, while Love’s collegiate career has come to an end as Notre Dame will not be participating in a bowl game.
Pavia and the Commodores will head to Tampa, Florida, take on Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec.31.
