The HeisMendoza watch is officially on.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a finalist for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trust announced its four finalists for the award Monday evening; Mendoza is joined by Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Mendoza is officially guaranteed to be no worse than Indiana’s second-highest Heisman finisher. Running back Anthony Thompson finished as runner up in 1989, the only other time an IU player has attended the trophy presentation in New York. This is the second straight season a Hoosier has placed in the top 10 — quarterback Kurtis Rouke finished ninth last year.
Mendoza was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year last week, along with All-Big Ten first team honors. The redshirt junior was also voted MVP of the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday after leading the Hoosiers to a 13-10 win over Ohio State.
Mendoza has excelled under IU head coach Curt Cignetti, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, and quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer this season. The Cal transfer has completed 226 of 316 pass attempts on the year — the sixth-highest completion percentage in the country (71.5). He’s racked up 2,980 passing yards, and he’s thrown only six interceptions. The Miami native’s 33 touchdown passes is the most in the nation, and it set a new Indiana single-season record. Mendoza is also a threat on the ground, rushing for 240 yards on 69 carries with six touchdowns.
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