The Heisman ceremony unfolds tonight in New York as four elite college football stars converge for the sport’s most prestigious individual award. With Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Diego Pavia, and Julian Sayin all competing, the competition promises drama and uncertainty.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The ceremony takes place at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 13
- Fernando Mendoza leads the nation with 33 passing touchdowns for Indiana, carrying heavy favorite status
- Jeremiyah Love just won the Doak Walker Award as college football’s top running back with 1,372 rushing yards
- All four finalists are also Walter Camp finalists, with three recognized as Maxwell Award finalists
The National Leader at the Helm
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Fernando Mendoza arrives in New York with momentum on his side. The Indiana quarterback led the entire nation in passing touchdowns, tossing 33 scoring strikes during his 2025 season. His completion percentage sits at a stellar 71.5 percent across 13 games.
Mendoza also contributed six rushing touchdowns, giving him responsibility for 39 total scores. The junior quarterback finished with 2,980 passing yards and earned recognition as the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Recent award wins for both the Davey O’Brien Award and Maxwell Award have positioned him as many experts’ pick to claim the Heisman.
The Most Efficient Running back in America
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Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame carries credentials that few running backs can match. The junior rusher just became the sixth Irish running back to win the Doak Walker Award, college football’s top award for running backs. His 1,372 rushing yards ranks as the fourth-best single season in Notre Dame history.
What makes Love’s season even more impressive is his efficiency. He accumulated those 1,372 yards on just 199 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Beyond rushing, Love also caught receptions and scored 18 rushing touchdowns, showing his complete value in the Fighting Irish offense. Notre Dame’s impressive turnaround after starting 0-2 to reach 10 consecutive wins showcases his impact on the field.
The Cinderella Story from Vanderbilt
Diego Pavia represents perhaps the most compelling narrative of the four finalists. The Vanderbilt quarterback leads the nation in quarterback power rankings while transforming the Commodores into a playoff contender. Vanderbilt secured its first 10-win season in program history, a remarkable achievement in the SEC that positions Pavia as a historic figure.
| Finalist | School | Position | Key Stat |
| Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | Quarterback | 33 passing TDs (nation-leading) |
| Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame | Running Back | 1,372 rushing yards, Doak Walker Award |
| Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt | Quarterback | #1 QB power ranking, first 10-win season |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | Quarterback | 31 passing TDs, 88.4 QBR (third) |
Vanderbilt’s unprecedented success has made Pavia a symbol of the program’s transformation. He ranks among the nation’s elite in efficiency and decision-making, showcasing why CBS Sports rated him the top quarterback in college football heading into this ceremony.
The High-Efficiency Option from Ohio State
Julian Sayin rounds out the quartet as the Ohio State quarterback who enters the race with impressive credentials of his own. The five-star talent threw 31 passing touchdowns against just six interceptions during the 2025 campaign. His QBR rating of 88.4 places him third in the nation among qualified passers.
Sayin’s precision and accuracy make him a compelling option for voters who prioritize decision-making over volume statistics. His turnovers remain minimal while his touchdown production stays elite. The Buckeyes quarterback contends alongside three other phenomenal talents in what promises to be a competitive final vote.
Will Tonight Determine College Football’s Most Exclusive Achievement?
The race to claim college football’s most prestigious award remains wide open as the four finalists prepare for the ceremony. History suggests that quarterbacks dominate the award, with three consecutive Heisman winners at the position, though Love presents a rare running back option. Mendoza’s national leadership in passing touchdowns and recent individual awards position him favorably, yet the other three finalists each carry legitimate cases that voters may find compelling.
Fans can watch the ceremony tonight on ABC and ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. ET as the voting results are revealed. The Nissan-sponsored ceremony in New York City will determine which of these four exceptional athletes joins one of the most exclusive groups in all of sports.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.