Fernando Mendoza named Maxwell Award finalist; Jacob Rodriguez named Butkus finalist
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Grace Darcy, Contributor
- November 25, 2025
Mendoza, Rodriguez named finalists for multiple major awards
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez were named finalists for some of the most prestigious awards in college football.
Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy front-runner, was a finalist for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards. The Maxwell Award honors the College Player of the Year. The O’Brien is given to the best quarterback in college football.
Rodriguez, a darkhorse candidate for the Heisman as a rare defensive player under consideration by voters, was recognized for three major awards in college football this week.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker from Wichita Falls, Texas, was named a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Defensive excellence
Rodriguez’s standout play has heavily contributed to Texas Tech’s success this season. The Red Raiders are ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 ranking. They also lead the Big 12 conference.
Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs were the other finalists for the Butkus award.
Another star in the Lone Star State, Texas A&M’s quarterback Marcel Reed was also named a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.
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Reed’s 25 passing touchdowns rank in the top 10 nationally. He has led Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 in the SEC) to a No. 3 ranking in the CFP, AP and USA Today Coaches poll.
The Davey O’Brien award winner will be decided through voting from the O’Brien national selection committee and fan voting.
The Davey O’Brien award winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 13.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love were the other two finalists for the Maxwell Award.
Fernando Mendoza in elite company
Saying and Mendoza both were named finalists for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards.
Fernando Mendoza is tied for first in passing touchdowns (30). Indiana has yet to have a Davey O’Brien Award winner since the Davey O’Brien Foundation began in 1977.
Both Sayin and Mendoza have contributed significantly to their respective schools. Ohio State (11-0) is ranked No. 1. Indiana (11-0) is No. 2.
Ohio State and Indiana are tied for first in the Big Ten Conference.
Fernando Mendoza, a Cuban American from Miami, could become the third Latino winner of the Maxwell Award. The only Latinos to have won the Maxwell award are Jim Plunkett (1970) and Bryce Young (2021).
Grace Darcy
Contributor
Grace Darcy is an award-winning journalism student at Texas State University.
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