2025 Heisman Trophy winner breaks down in tears and makes 90-year history as NFL career looms

Fernando Mendonza is the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.

The quarterback of No. 1 ranked Indiana won the award on Saturday night and in the process became the first Hoosier to pick up the trophy since its inception in 1935.

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Mendoza claimed 2,362 points, including 643 first-place votes, to beat out a stacked field that included Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.

His win comes as no surprise after his stellar individual campaign.

The 22-year-old threw for 2,980 yards and a nation-best of 33 touchdown passes while guiding Indiana to its first No.1 ranking and top seed in the 12-team College Football bracket.

The Hoosiers are also the only unbeaten team in major college football and will play their playoff quarterback at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1.

“This trophy might have my name on it,” Mendoza said in an emotional speech.

“But it belongs to all of you, it belongs, for the first time, in Bloomington. Playing in front of Hoosier Nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

Mendoza also paid tribute to his mom, Elsa, as tears began to roll down his face.

“Mommy, this is your trophy as much as it is mine,” he said.

“You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my light, you’re my why, you’re my biggest supporter.

“Your sacrifices, courage and love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook I’m going to carry by my side throughout my entire life.”

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Mendoza’s win was emphatic as he finished first in all six Heisman regions, the first to do so since Caleb Williams in 2022.

He was also named on over 95 per cent of the ballots, tying with Marcus Mariota in 2014 for the second highest in the award’s history.

Mendoza also received 84.6 per cent of the total possible points, which is the seventh highest in Heisman history.

“I haven’t seen the numbers yet,” Mendoza said when talking to reporters after the ceremony.

“But it’s such an honor to be mentioned with these guys (Pavia, Love and Sayin). It’s really a credit to our team. It’s a team award.”

Quarterbacks have won the Heisman trophy four out of the last five years, with Travis Hunter in 2024, the exception.

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Could Fernando Mendoza be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft

It’s expected that Mendoza will go as the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.

While he isn’t the no-brainer franchise quarterback, his size, mobility, quick release and leadership make him the best signal caller in this draft class.

Should Mendoza not go as No. 1, he will certainly be a top-five pick.

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