One of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and running back Jeremiyah Love will be named the Heisman Trophy winner in 2025.

Mendoza, Pavia and Sayin — the three best quarterbacks in college football this season — were not on the Heisman radar heading into the year. Mendoza was a transfer from Cal, and Sayin was a redshirt freshman first-time starter. Pavia, a former zero-star recruit, went from fun story after upsetting Alabama last year to leading the Commodores to a program-best 10 wins.

REQUIRED READING: Heisman Trophy finalists 2025: Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia highlight final four

Love was expected to be among the top running backs in college football, and he delivered. However, he's probably a longshot to win the Heisman.

All four of college football's best players in 2025 had their fair share of bright moments this season. Here's a look at each finalist's "Heisman moment" this season.

Heisman moments in 2025

Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza made a ton of winning plays this season and is a huge reason why Indiana went 13-0 and is the No. 1 seed of the College Football Playoff.

The Hoosiers faced their first bit of adversity this season against Penn State on Nov. 8, trailing 24-20 with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Mendoza then led a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to seal it, hitting Omar Cooper Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone with 36 seconds left to secure the comeback win.

Mendoza was even sacked on the first play of the drive, before getting up and completing consecutive passes of 22, 12, 29 and 17 yards. His touchdown pass to Cooper Jr. came as he got leveled by a Penn State defender.

Mendoza not only kept Indiana's undefeated record alive against Penn State, but he also led Indiana to its first Big Ten title since 1967 over previously undefeated Ohio State. The Hoosiers only scored 13 points, but Mendoza led what later became the game-winning touchdown drive in the third quarter.

Indiana's lone touchdown gave it a 13-10 lead midway through the period after Mendoza threw a beautiful fade pass to Elijah Sarratt in the end zone.

  • Passing stats: 226 of 316 passing (71.5%) for 2,980 yards with 33 touchdowns to six interceptions

Diego Pavia

Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt despite the Commodores coming off a 2-10 finish. Vanderbilt then improved to 7-5 with an upset win over Alabama in his first season, before it went a program-best 10-2 in 2025.

Pavia was a huge reason to Vanderbilt's turnaround, which culminated with the Commodores' 45-24 road win over in-state rival Tennessee in the regular season finale. The sixth-year senior put the nail in the coffin with a 38-yard touchdown run to give Vanderbilt a 38-24 lead with 8:55 left in the fourth quarter.

Pavia then ventured into the end zone and hit the Heisman pose, seemingly staking his claim for the award in the most Pavia-way possible. He finished the game with 433 total yards and two touchdowns.

  • Passing stats: 242 of 340 passing (71.2%) for 3,192 yards with 27 touchdowns to eight interceptions
  • Rushing stats: 152 carries for 826 yards with nine touchdowns

Julian Sayin

Sayin, unlike the others on this list, didn't have the obvious "Heisman moment." That doesn't mean he wasn't deserving of him being a finalist.

Sayin was wildly efficient in 2025, completing a whopping 78.4% of his passes with 31 touchdowns to four interceptions. He led the Buckeyes to double-digit wins in each of their final 11 regular season games.

Sayin also defeated Michigan in his first start against Ohio State's archrival, passing for 233 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The win broke the Buckeyes' 4-game losing streak against the Wolverines and marked coach Ryan Day's second victory against Michigan.

Sayin was the most-accurate passer in college football this season, and his 33-yard drop-it-in-a-bucket touchdown pass between two defenders against Wisconsin was one of the most gorgeous throws of the season.

  • Passing stats: 279 of 356 passing (78.4%) for 3,323 yards with 31 touchdowns to six interceptions

Jeremiyah Love

Love, one of the best pure athletes in college football, was a human-highlight reel this season, showcasing his athleticism on numerous plays.

One of the best was a 56-yard rushing touchdown against Pittsburgh. Love juked out two defenders with the same spin move before dusting the defense for the score.

Love also turned potential negative plays into touchdowns. Love took a handoff against Navy and was instantly met in the backfield by three defenders. He somehow avoided a tackle, spun through a defender and stayed on his feet before rushing for a 48-yard touchdown.

While he's unlikely to win the Heisman, Love had some insane moments. Maybe he'd have a stronger chance if Notre Dame gave him more than 226 touches this season.

  • Rushing stats: 199 carries for 1,372 yards with 18 touchdowns
  • Receiving stats: 27 receptions for 280 yards with three touchdowns

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Each 'Heisman moment' in 2025, from Fernando Mendoza to Diego Pavia