Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy
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Staff Reports, Staff reports
- December 13, 2025
Fernando Mendoza becomes third Latino to win Heisman
After etching his name alongside the greatest players in college football history as the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza paid tribute to his parents and Cuban roots while also delivering a message to athletes who are overlooked.
Mendoza, who received only one Division I scholarship offer out of high school, became the first player from Indiana University and the third Latino to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York.
“This is an important one,” Mendoza said while looking into the camera during the telecast on ABC. “I want every kid out there who feels overlooked and underestimated to know I was you. I was that kid too. I was in your shoes. The truth is, you don’t need the most stars, hype or rankings.
“You just need discipline, heart and people who believe in you. And you need to believe in your own abilities. I hope this moment shows you that chasing your dreams are worth it no matter how big or impossible they seem.”
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mendoza, who was born in Boston and raised in Miami, received only one Division I offer out of Christopher Columbus High. He spent his first three years at Cal, where he graduated before transferring to Indiana this year.
“To my Cal family, thank you for being the first to believe in my future,” he said. “Thank you for the opportunity, educating me and giving me the foundation that enabled me to grow into the person I am today.”
Third Latino Heisman winner
Mendoza, a Cuban American, joins 1970 winner Jim Plunkett of Stanford and 2021 winner Bryce Young of Alabama among Latino Heisman winners.
Both sets of Mendoza’s grandparents were born in Cuba. With his maternal grandparents Alberto and Alicia Espinoza in the audience, Fernando Mendoza delivered part of his acceptance speech in Spanish.
“For the love and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents, I love you a lot,” he said in Spanish while looking at his grandparents. “From all my heart, I thank you.”
Mendoza has led Indiana to a 13-0 record and the Big 10 title. He received 643 first-place votes on the 920 of the ballots cast this year. He received 2,392 points overall. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia received 189 first-place votes and 1,435 points to finish second.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished third with 719 points with 49 first-place votes. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished fourth with 432 points and eight first-place votes. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who wasn’t invited to New York as a finalist, finished fifth.
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Pavia, who has led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win season, received no Division I offers out of Volcano Vista High in Albuquerque, N.M. He enrolled at the New Mexico Military Institute in 2020. A year later, he guided NMMI to the NJCAA National Championship before transferring to New Mexico State.
After two years at New Mexico State, Pavia received his bachelor’s degree in biology before enrolling at Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season. The 6-foot, 207-pounder hopes his story helps inspire other athletes who may be overlooked.
Unlikely journey for Diego Pavia
“I think I want everyone to know there’s a better end for them,” Pavia said during the Heisman ceremony. “You know what I mean? There’s hope at the end of the tunnel. You just have to believe in yourself, be the best version of yourself and treat people how you want to be treated.
“And I think good things happen to good people, and I think for myself that’s what happened to me. I’m very blessed to be in this situation in this spot tonight. I’m very thankful.”
This year marked the first time two Latinos were finalists. It was also the first time three Latinos finished in the Top 10 in the Heisman race.
“What a special moment for the Hispanic community,” Mendoza said Friday. “It really shows all the Hispanic kids out there, whether you’re Cuban, Mexican, whatever Hispanic ethnicity you are, you can make it and you can do it. This is a new age of Hispanic kids coming up.”
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