Overview
- The Heisman Trophy Trust announced Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love as finalists during ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, with the winner to be revealed Saturday in New York on ABC.
- Mendoza led Indiana to 13-0, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 College Football Playoff seed, with late throws versus Ohio State and an earlier game-winning drive at Penn State widely cited as signature moments.
- Sportsbooks and prediction platforms show Mendoza as the heavy favorite, with Kalshi traders putting his chances near 90% and Pavia viewed as the main challenger.
- Pavia powered Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, posting 3,192 passing yards with 27 touchdowns plus 826 rushing yards and nine scores, and he is the Commodores’ first Heisman finalist.
- Sayin delivered 3,323 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with an FBS-best 78.4% completion rate for Ohio State, while Love rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in a standout season for Notre Dame.