This week’s college football buzz has centered on Fernando Mendoza winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy, making him the first player from Indiana to earn the honor. He also became the seventh transfer recipient of the award in the past nine years.
From being a lightly regarded high school recruit to a Heisman winner, Mendoza’s journey is indeed inspiring.
Fernando Mendoza Fires Subtle Shots at Diego Pavia After Heisman Trophy Announcement
Mendoza celebrated his Heisman win with an emotional acceptance speech and the iconic Heisman pose, marking a historic milestone for Indiana, which reached its first No. 1 ranking this season. Mendoza’s former high school in Miami also held celebrations in his honor.
Mendoza beat Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who finished second. After the results, Pavia posted a photo on his Instagram story with the caption, in part, “F— ALL THE VOTERS,” accompanied by a thumbs-down emoji. He was later seen at a New York City nightclub, gesturing toward a sign with a profane message aimed at Indiana. He eventually issued a lengthy apology on X, stating that he hadn’t managed his emotions well and that his reaction was a mistake.
Mendoza did not directly address Pavia’s behavior, but his comments following the celebrations in New York with his teammates seemed like a subtle response.
“We know how to handle ourselves with class,” Mendoza said (via Alec Lasley of On3). “We don’t need any of those extra curricular’s. We just have that fun together.”
Mendoza played a big role in Indiana’s historic 13-0 regular season, guiding the Hoosiers to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and the No. 2 spot in the PFSN CFB Meter. On Friday, he also earned the Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (Most Outstanding Player).
Mendoza’s focus now is entirely on Indiana’s upcoming College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, where the Hoosiers will face the winner of Oklahoma vs. Alabama.
“Our focus right now is winning the College Football Playoff,” Mendoza said. “That’s what would make this trophy so much sweeter. I believe this trophy is a little bit of a push of confidence on us, on the team, that we’re making history for the IU team in history to be 13-0, and also to bring home a Heisman Trophy to Bloomington.
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“I think this is pushing us forward, and now all our team understands and even the lift this morning, we understand that we need to be humble and hungry. Hey, it’s congrats, all this stuff, hey, let’s go, we did it, we got the trophy; now it’s on to the real trophy or the season’s trophy, which is the National Championship.”
Despite being the only undefeated team left this season, some analysts don’t see Indiana as the favorite for the national title. Mendoza and the Hoosiers will need to maintain their momentum and prove the doubters wrong by winning the championship.
