On Saturday night, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Indiana player in program history to take home the Heisman.
Mendoza beat Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Fernando Mendoza is six foot five and weighs 225 pounds. The 22-year-old from Miami, Florida, transferred to Indiana in 2025. He completed 289 of 385 passes (75%) for 3,781 yards, 48 touchdowns, six interceptions, 90 carries for 252 yards, six rushing touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 16 games. He helped the Hoosier secure their first No.1 ranking in history and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
He helped lead the Hoosiers to beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Mendoza was also named a Maxwell Award winner, AP College Football Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and First Team All-Big Ten.
Mendoza began his collegiate career at California (2023-24), completing 418 of 629 passes (66%) for 4,712 yards, 30 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 135 carries for 197 yards, four rushing touchdowns, 15 yards receiving, one touchdown, and one tackle (1 solo) in 20 games for the Golden Bears. He was a redshirt Freshman in 2022 and did not play. He was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Fourth Team All-Pac 12 in 2023.
