Indiana Hoosier quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the winner of the 2025 Heisman Trophy. The redshirt junior helped lead Indiana to a 13-0 season and a Big Ten title. The Hoosiers are also the number one seed in the College Football Playoff and will play in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.
Mendoza transferred to Indiana from California after three seasons with the Bears. In his lone season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza rewrote the IU record book throwing for a school record 33 touchdowns. In total, Mendoza threw for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, six interceptions while completing 71.5-percent of his passes. His 39 total touchdowns led the nation as well.
What made Mendoza stand out was his ability to come through in the clutch for the Hoosiers. In three of Indiana’s four regular season road games he led fourth quarter, game-winning, touchdown drives. The hight being the 80-yard drive with under two minutes to save IU’s season at Penn State.
Mendoza’s win gives the Hoosier football program their first Heisman Trophy winner. He also took home the Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award and was named AP Player of the Year among other awards.