Fernando Mendoza, Jacob Rodriguez, KC Concepcion lead 2025 Latino All-America team

Latino excellence reached a new level in college football in 2025, which was marked by a Heisman Trophy race that featured two Latino finalists and Fernando Mendoza becoming the first Cuban American to win the award. Latino brilliance also included Butkus Award winner Jacob Rodriguez and Hornung Award winner KC Concepcion.

Mendoza, Rodriguez and Concepcion highlight Our Esquina’s 2025 Latino All-America Football team, which features 32 players from 26 schools. Ohio State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Kent State and the University of Houston each placed two players on the team.

The Ivy League was represented with two players. Offensive lineman Jonah Rodriguez from Southwestern College represented the junior college ranks that once produced Diego Pavia and Joey Aguilar.

Mendoza, Rodriguez and Concepcion were the co-Players of the Year for their excellence on the field, leadership and character. They follow 2023 Player of the Year Sebastian Castro of Iowa and 2024 POY Xavier Restrepo of Miami.

Fernando Mendoza leads the way

Fernando Mendoza, who set Indiana school records in passing touchdowns (33) and total touchdowns (39), leads a stacked Latino quarterback group on the 2025 Latino All-American team. He was joined by Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar.

Having already secured the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza can cap off an historic season by leading the Hoosiers to their first national title. 

As Heisman runner-up, Diego Pavia led the Vanderbilt Commodores to their first 10-win season. He broke school single-season records in passing yards (3,192) and passing touchdowns (27) while leading all SEC quarterbacks in passer rating (170.4).

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Texas A&M star KC Concepcion speaks with authority

After stepping in as the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee, Joey Aguilar guided the Volunteers to an 8-4 record and an appearance at the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. He finished the season with 3,565 passing yards (3rd in the SEC) and 24 touchdowns (5th in the SEC). 

While putting up good numbers, Aguilar’s presence was also felt through his leadership.

“Couldn’t be more thankful for who he has been from the moment that he stepped foot here.” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said of Aguilar. “That’s being a teammate and caring about the guys around him, the culture insider of the locker room, and then certainly the player. We couldn’t have had somebody come in May and do it any better.”

Star linebackers

On the defensive side of the football, Latino linebackers proved stout against opposing offenses this season. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez was crowned the nation’s best linebacker and best defensive player while also finishing fifth in Heisman voting. Rodriguez led a dominant Texas Tech defense that helped the Red Raiders reach their first Big 12 title in school history. 

Linebacker Taurean York became a defensive leader for Texas A&M’s defense this season, where he finished with a team-high 72 tackles. 

York and teammate KC Concepcion were also instrumental in leading the Aggies to their first College Football Playoff berth in program history.

The dynamic wide receiver led the team with 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He had 1,409 all-purpose yards while returning two punts for touchdowns. KC Concepcion earned First Team All-SEC honors as a wide receiver, return specialist and all-purpose.

Concepcion leads the way with three spots on Our Esquina’s All-America team at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist. No other player earned a spot for more than one position.

Dynamic receivers

The wide receiver position is stacked with Concepcion, Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez and Penn State’s Trebor Peña. 

With three standout true freshmen earning spots on the Latino All-American list, the future remains bright for Latinos in college football. Leading the trio of freshmen on the Latino All-America team is Ohio State cornerback and special teams standout Devin Sanchez.

Auburn linebacker Elijah Melendez, who received SEC All-Freshman honors for the Tigers, earned a spot on the team. San Jose State freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto also was selected. He rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

The Ivy League is represented with Yale tight end Jaxton Santiago and Dartmouth defensive lineman Dakota Quiñonez.  

York and Concepcion represent Texas A&M. Tight end Josh Cuevas and long snapper David Bird represent Alabama. Sanchez and offensive lineman Joshua Padilla play for Ohio State. Houston was represented by kicker Ethan Sanchez and long snapper Jacob Garza. Kent State was represented by Joel Cordoba and Gavin Garcia.