Ohio State quarterback and Heisman candidate Julian Sayin (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
It’s wild that with only three weeks to go in the regular season, no one has a concrete place in the lead for the Heisman. Outstanding players are making huge plays for their teams and pushing their teams much higher than they’d be without those players, but still, no one has a lead that can’t be overcome. The 2025 Heisman race is still wide open.
Heisman Top 5
1. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Sophomore
Sayin maintains the top spot, even though he had an off game against Purdue, throwing his fourth interception of the season by committing a freshman mistake in the Red Zone. Still, in an off-game, he threw for over 300 yards and completed over 80% of his passes, again. Against Purdue, Sayin was 27 of 33 for 303 yards and a touchdown. So far, in 2025, he is 203 of 251 for 2,491 yards and 24 touchdowns.
2. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior
It seems that the only thing that can slow down Love in the Heisman race is his teammate Jadarian Price. Love had another big game in Notre Dame’s win over Navy. He’s really the only guy in the top five of the Heisman race who is moving steadily upward. Everyone else is in a holding pattern. Love had 14 touches for 121 total yards and two touchdowns in the win over Navy. On the season, he has 1,242 yards from scrimmage and 16 total touchdowns, which is tied for first in the country.
3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior
Like Sayin, Mendoza had an off day, and yet still powered his team to a win and now has 31 total touchdowns this season. In the come-from-behind victory, Mendoza was 19 of 30 for 218 yards and a touchdown with 20 rushing yards and another touchdown. This year, he is 181 of 254 for 2,342 yards and 26 touchdowns with 240 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
4. Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior
All three of these top quarterbacks had ‘rough’ games, still threw for at least 275 yards and a touchdown, and still won. Against LSU, Simpson was 21 of 35 for 277 yards and a touchdown. This year for Alabama, he is 198 of 296 for 2,461 yards and 23 total touchdowns.
5. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
Smith was without wingman Carnell Tate against Purdue, and he still went out and did what he always does, and that’s torch defenses. Smith caught 10 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown against Purdue. In this, his sophomore year, he has 65 catches for 862 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
In the Race
Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss, Running Back, Sophomore
To make a push to the front of the pack in this race, Lacy might need some help from other teams to get Ole Miss into the SEC title game. Still, his phenomenal season should still be recognized as only Jeremiyah Love has as many touchdowns from scrimmage this year. Lacy had 11 carries for 49 yards and three touchdowns against the Citadel. He has 223 carries for 1,049 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback, Freshman
North Texas and Mestemaker didn’t play this week. Mestemaker is 214 of 310 for 2,702 yards and 25 total touchdowns.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior
King and Georgia Tech had a bye week this week. Haynes King has 1,888 yards and nine touchdowns passing. He also has 754 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing.
Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Running Back, Junior
Cook was the first to crack the 1,000-yard mark rushing the ball this season. Like Lacy, he likely won’t win the Heisman, but should still get some much-deserved recognition. Cam Cook had 19 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown in the win over UTEP. Cook has 200 carries for 1,179 yards and 12 touchdowns for Jax State this season.
Joe Fagnano, Connecticut, Quarterback, Senior
Getting UConn football to 7-3 is almost enough to get you into the conversation all by itself. Add in having an incredible year, and you get what Joe Fagnano is doing for UConn. Fagnanao was 27 of 39 for 311 yards and three touchdowns with 51 rushing yards in UConn’s win over Duke. This year, Fagnano is 236 of 343 for 2,840 yards and 25 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has 142 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.
How the World Sees It
The above was my ballot and who I think the best are for the Heisman this season. The following is how I believe the rest of college football sees this year’s Heisman race.
1. Fernando Mendoza
2. Julian Sayin
3. Ty Simpson
4. Jeremiyah Love
5. Jeremiah Smith
