Fernando Mendoza Wins Heisman Trophy as College Football’s Top Player

Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers poses with The Heisman Memorial Trophy during a news conference at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on Dec. 13, 2025. Adam Hunger/Getty Images

NEW YORK—Fernando Mendoza, the mercurial quarterback of No. 1 Indiana, won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, becoming the first Hoosier to win college football’s most prestigious award since its inception in 1935.

Mendoza claimed 2,362 first place votes. He beat Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (1,435 votes), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (719 votes) and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (432 votes).