The 2025 Heisman Race is becoming slimmer as the college football season winds down through Week 13 this past weekend.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin remained a top favorite. Still, with Indiana and Heisman hopeful Fernando Mendoza facing a bye in Week 13, it allowed several other players, such as Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, to receive a bit more attention than usual in the past few weeks.
With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, the battle for a spot in this year’s Heisman race will begin to weed itself out as players prove who is really worth the trip to New York City in December.
1) Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio St.
PFSN QB Impact Rating: 93.8, A
While it was not a mind-blowing game for Julian Sayin in the box score for Week 13, the underclassmen quarterback has coasted well through two straight games as he and the Buckeyes have dismantled opponents in preparation for the big game in Ann Arbor this weekend. He was named a Davey O’Brien finalist, which is awarded to the nation’s top quarterback, and also received the 2025 Maxwell Award for the most outstanding player in college football.
Sayin’s 79.4% completion and 185.4 passer rating continue to lead the nation, while he sits fourth in touchdowns, logging 27 through Ohio State’s 11 games this season. He has consistently delivered solid football and displayed the abilities of a future QB1 at a still-ripe age of 20. If any quarterback deserves to be a shoo-in to the Heisman ceremony, it is Julian Sayin.
2) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
PFSN RB Impact Rating: 93.4, A
Another finalist for college football’s Maxwell Award, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love continues to prove that a running back is well worthy of a Heisman nomination. Already sitting with 20 total touchdowns and over 1,500 scrimmage yards, Love has proven to be the most electric player in college football. Nominated for the Doak Walker Award, this may not be the only hardware the Notre Dame running back takes home this season.
There is no stopping LOVE@JeremiyahLove is a Doak Walker Award Finalist#GoIrish☘️ | @DoakWalkerAward pic.twitter.com/xbaVqxO1hX
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 25, 2025
Statistics, highlight plays, and dominant performances – there is not a single box that Love does not check off when looking for a Heisman finalist, and it also helps to have history on your side. Dating back to 1945, the Heisman trophy has gone to a running back in each season the year has ended in the number five. This might be a stretch to consider, but it’s certainly not something to rule out.
3) Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
PFSN QB Impact Rating: 87.6, B+
Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed is back in the top five this week, as some favorites faced a bye. Nonetheless, the sophomore quarterback has done an excellent job leading A&M to an undefeated record through 11 games. Only playing in one quarter in Week 13, Reed still tallied three touchdown passes and 120 yards on just ten completions.
With most of the Aggies’ big wins coming on the road, Reed has shown a lot of resiliency and toughness in his first season as a full-time starter. Like the No. 1 QB ahead of him, Reed is also a Davey O’Brien finalist, proving to voters around the country that he is indeed one of the nation’s best gunslingers.
4) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
PFSN QB Impact Rating: 97.9, A+
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia has had a rollercoaster season, to say the least, but the sixth-year senior has done well enough to deserve some Heisman love as the race nears its end. Coming off a six-touchdown performance against Kentucky, Pavia has now logged 2,924 passing yards this season, with three straight games throwing for at least 365 yards. His 26 passing touchdowns rank fifth in the country, as well as his 86.9 quarterback rating.
His dual-threat abilities have given the quarterback several big moments this season, which have also helped boost his resume during the Heisman race. Pavia has proven to be Vanderbilt’s most valuable player this season as they faced a demanding SEC schedule. While they won’t sniff the college football playoffs, their quarterback has shown enough to get a look by some of the Heisman voters.
5) Joe Fagnano, QB, UConn
PFSN QB Impact Rating: 90.6, A
It’s time to stop ignoring the Joe Fagnano hype, as UConn’s quarterback is having a statistically historic season, boasting 28 touchdowns and just one interception. He has six games this season with at least 300 yards and two touchdowns. While viewers may complain about the competition level compared to other Heisman contenders, Fagnano is still competing in college just like everyone else.
He likely won’t receive a nomination to join the best players in New York City this December, but when you cut on the tape, it’s clear as day that Fagnano has all the goods to be a potential NFL QB. UConn and die-hard college football fans around the country will cherish his historic season this year, and maybe if the stars align right, his season can be cherished in New York City as well.
