Week eight of the college football season is officially in the books, and we saw several players boost their Heisman resume as the season rolls on. From quarterbacks to defensive ends, the race for college football’s biggest prize continues to deliver.
5 Players Who Strengthened Their Heisman Case in Week 8
1) Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Indiana’s transfer quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, has been one of the best gun slingers in the nation through eight weeks of play. In the Hoosiers’ latest 38-13 win against Michigan State, Mendoza threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns, helping move Indiana up to the No. 2 team in the AP top 25.
Ridiculous ball placement.
Fernando Mendoza’s last six games:
– 23 total TDs
– 2 interceptions
– 76.7% completion percentage
pic.twitter.com/5DSj2xipVJ— Eli Hershkovich (@EliHershkovich) October 18, 2025
Mendoza’s four passing touchdowns helped tie him for No. 1 in the nation at 21, and his 73.5 percent completion rating ranks third among all quarterbacks. With their remaining schedule, the Hoosiers have an opportunity to run the table, and if they can continue to win, it will only bode well for the talented QB.
2) Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Last weekend, Alabama’s Ty Simpson performed well as the Crimson Tide defeated No. 11-ranked Tennessee 37-20. The junior quarterback’s 253 passing yards put Simpson in the top ten passers per yards, as he is now 69 yards shy of 2,000 through Alabama’s seven games.
Simpson continues to impress fans and scouts nationwide with every gritty performance the 6-foot-2 quarterback puts together. With 20 touchdowns and only one turnover, it’s hard to dispute that Simpson is not one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates through eight weeks.
3) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
When discussing making a Heisman statement, putting up video game stats is one way. During week eight, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love rushed for 228 yards and averaged 9.5 yards per rush. He also added a touchdown to his 24-carry game, which helped put Notre Dame over the USC Trojans.
Week in and week out, Love holds on to the RB1 title for the 2026 NFL Draft. He averages 108.3 yards per game, ranking sixth in the nation, and holds the third-best RBi grade with an 88.2. With a more than favorable schedule going forward for the Fighting Irish, Love will have plenty of chances to prove why the running back is also worthy of a Heisman nod.
4) Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
There has not been a more impressive underclassman quarterback this season than Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. The sophomore sensation comes off a 393-yard outing against Wisconsin, logging his second game of the season with four passing touchdowns. This game ties Sayin at No. 2 in the nation with 19 passing touchdowns, and his 189.7 rating also puts him second in that category.
Julian Sayin is the single biggest improvement in college football
His growth from game one to today is INSANE pic.twitter.com/3WOaHsBYBU
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) October 18, 2025
As Ohio State sits at the No. 1 rank on the AP poll, its sophomore quarterback will look to steer this team to the top of the college football playoff seeding with a talented tandem around him. If Sayin can guide the Buckeyes to the top, there is no way he will not receive any Heisman love.
5) Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Not including the nation’s top receiver would be silly, considering Jordyn Tyson just compiled 105 yards on 10 catches en route to Arizona State’s upset win against No. 7-ranked Texas Tech. Despite sustaining an early leg injury during the game that visibly altered his play on the field, Tyson chose to stay on the gridiron to help get the Sun Devils past Texas Tech.
Jordyn Tyson’s Big 12 ranks:
Catches: 1st (57)
Receiving Yards: 1st (628)
Receiving TD: 1st (8)
Receiving Yards/Game: 1st (89.7)
Catches for 1st Downs: 1st (31)
15+ Yard Catches: 1st (15) pic.twitter.com/hBpD7rLDvR— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) October 20, 2025
This marks Tyson’s fourth game with over 100 receiving yards and his seventh consecutive with a touchdown. His 628 receiving yards have him ranked in the top ten nationally, but for the Big 12 conference, it is hard to find a receiving category in which Tyson is not number one.
