Indiana University’s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, stands as the frontrunner for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, following an impressive season on the college football scene. His rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular, igniting the hopes of Hoosiers fans everywhere.

In what was his first year taking the field for the team, the redshirt junior quarterback spearheaded an undefeated 13-0 campaign. The highlight of the season came with a thrilling 13-10 victory over the second-ranked Ohio State on December 6, securing Indiana’s first Big Ten Championship since 1967. Mendoza’s leadership and skill were instrumental in this remarkable accomplishment.

Over the course of the regular season, Mendoza amassed 2,980 passing yards, throwing 33 touchdowns while maintaining a mere six interceptions. His performance has been pivotal in catapulting the Hoosiers to the top of the national rankings.

As Indiana holds the distinction of being the No. 1 team in the nation, Mendoza’s journey is far from over. He will continue to guide the Hoosiers through the College Football Playoff, facing off against the victor of the No. 8 Oklahoma versus No. 9 Alabama clash in the prestigious Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026.

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The Heisman Trophy ceremony takes place on December 13, 2025.

Keep scrolling to read more about the quarterback who continues to make headlines:

Mendoza started his college football career at University of California, Berkeley

Before Mendoza was taking the nation by storm at Indiana, the redshirt junior quarterback spent two seasons with the California Golden Bears. He earned some playing time his freshman season and took over the outright starting role his sophomore year.

He made his first career start in week 6 of the 2023 season – his redshirt freshman year – against Oregon State and immediately made his presence felt.

He started the rest of that season for the Golden Bears, finishing with 1,708 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight starts.

By the next season, Mendoza was the full-time starter at Cal. During the 2024 season, he earned ACC quarterback of the week twice. His first full season as a starter saw him throw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns, with arguably his biggest game of the year coming in an upset win over Auburn University in week 2.

After his impressive run at Cal, Mendoza transferred to Indiana University in 2025.

Named 2025 AP College Football Player of the Year after leading Indiana to Big Ten Championship

Thanks in part to the long-awaited conference championship, Mendoza earned the title of AP College Football Player of the Year, announced on December 11.

Mendoza earned 32 of the 51 first-place votes, making him the overwhelming choice for the award. The honor is voted on by media members across the country.

It surely helped that Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a 13-0 season, including wins over No. 5 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State, and a No. 1 ranking in the national polls.

Mendoza’s younger brother serves as his backup quarterback at Indiana

It’s a family business at Indiana.

When Mendoza transferred to play for the Hoosiers for this season, he joined his younger brother, Alberto, on the roster.

Mendoza previously said having Alberto at Indiana was a key factor in his decision to transfer to the Hoosiers.

“I think having my little brother there, who’s my best friend and the person who pushes me the hardest, it was great to have that,” Mendoza told IndyStar in January.

Alberto saw some action this season, and threw his first career touchdown pass in Indiana’s game against Kennesaw State on September 6. That game was historic for not only the Mendoza family, but also college football as a whole, as Alberto’s touchdown pass – in combination with Fernando’s touchdown pass earlier in the game – made them the first set of brothers to throw touchdown passes for the same team in the same FBS game since Brady and Austin Allen of Arkansas in 2015.

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His family is Cuban and he grew up in Miami

Family has always been a big part of Mendoza’s life. Both of his grandparents were born and raised in Cuba before moving the family to Miami. While Mendoza was born in Boston, he was raised in Miami as well.

Mendoza — speaking to Indiana University news website Peegs.com earlier this year — talked about the importance of family in his football career.

“Alberto and I play football not for ourselves, not for fulfillment and satisfaction of ourselves — we have a lot of whys why we do it for. One of the whys is our mom. Another why is our entire family. Our entire family comes from a Cuban background. All of our grandparents were born and raised in Cuba, and that’s something we always take deeply to heart.”