Fernando Mendoza: The 2025 Heisman Trophy Contender

Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza has established himself as a frontrunner for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, following an impressive college football season that has captured national attention.

In his inaugural year with the Hoosiers, the redshirt junior quarterback guided the team to a perfect 13-0 record, culminating in a thrilling 13-10 victory over No. 2 Ohio State on December 6, marking Indiana's first Big Ten Championship since 1967.

His regular season statistics are remarkable: 2,980 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. As the Hoosiers currently hold the top spot in national rankings, Mendoza is set to lead his team into the College Football Playoff, where they will face the winner of the No. 8 Oklahoma versus No. 9 Alabama matchup in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is scheduled for December 13, 2025, and Mendoza's performance has positioned him as a strong candidate for this prestigious award.

Before his rise at Indiana, Mendoza spent two seasons with the California Golden Bears. He gained valuable experience during his freshman year and secured the starting role in his sophomore season.

His first career start came in week six of the 2023 season against Oregon State, where he made an immediate impact. Over eight starts that season, he accumulated 1,708 passing yards and threw for 14 touchdowns.

By the following year, Mendoza was firmly established as Cal's starting quarterback. In the 2024 season, he was recognized as ACC quarterback of the week on two occasions. His first full season saw him throw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns, highlighted by a significant upset victory over Auburn University in week two.

After a successful tenure at Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana University in 2025. His contributions were pivotal in securing the long-awaited conference championship, earning him the title of AP College Football Player of the Year on December 11.

Mendoza received 32 out of 51 first-place votes, solidifying his status as the clear choice for this honor, which is determined by media members nationwide. His leadership helped propel the Hoosiers to an undefeated season, including victories over No. 5 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State.

Family ties play a significant role in Mendoza's journey. Upon transferring to Indiana, he joined his younger brother, Alberto, on the roster. Mendoza has previously stated that having his brother on the team was a crucial factor in his decision to move.

"I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that," Mendoza shared with IndyStar earlier this year.

Alberto made his mark this season by throwing his first career touchdown pass during Indiana's game against Kennesaw State on September 6. This moment was historic not only for the Mendoza family but also for college football, as it marked the first instance of brothers throwing touchdown passes for the same team in an FBS game since Brady and Austin Allen of Arkansas in 2015.

Family has always been central to Mendoza's life. His grandparents emigrated from Cuba to Miami, where he was raised after being born in Boston. Speaking to Indiana University's news outlet Peegs.com earlier this year, Mendoza emphasized the significance of family in his football journey.

"Alberto and I play football not for ourselves, not for fulfillment and satisfaction of ourselves — we have a lot of whys why we do it for. One of the whys is our mom. Another why is our entire family. Our entire family comes from a Cuban background," he explained. "All of our grandparents were born and raised in Cuba, and that’s something we always take deeply to heart."