Ranking the Top Seven Heisman Trophy Candidates After College Football’s Week 11

7. Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)

Love has quietly built a strong case for being one of the most productive backs in the country this season. He consistently hits the 100-yard mark in multiple games and is the workhorse for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense, which gives him a steady stream of touches to build his Heisman résumé. While running backs often face an uphill battle against quarterbacks in the Heisman race, Love’s combination of durability, consistency, and impact in key games gives him legitimacy. If Notre Dame wins its remaining matchups, especially against high-profile opponents, Love could move up significantly. The key for him is maintaining big numbers, avoiding turnovers, and showing up in the marquee moments when national voters take notice.

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love impresses vs. Navy | COLLEGE FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS | NBC Sports

6. Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt)

Pavia is one of the more intriguing quarterback candidates in this race. While his team, the Vanderbilt Commodores, is not yet in the title-contention bracket of some others, Pavia’s individual performances have forced his name into the Heisman discussion. He possesses dual-threat ability, makes big plays with his legs and arm, and gives Vanderbilt an offensive identity. If he finishes the season strong and Vanderbilt upsets a major opponent or two, his stock will rise dramatically. His major challenge is the strength of schedule, team success relative to some of the other candidates, and whether he accumulates the signature “Heisman moment” — a big, memorable play or win that stands out on highlight reels.

How Diego Pavia Changed Vanderbilt Forever

5. Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia)

Stockton is the signal-caller for the Georgia Bulldogs, one of the most dominant programs in college football. For the Heisman, being the QB of a perennial national championship contender carries weight — voters know impact is amplified when you’re leading an elite team. Stockton’s year has been marked by efficiency, smart decision-making, and big wins. While his raw yardage or touchdown totals may not yet top some candidates, his team’s performance and prominence elevate his case. The potential differentiator is whether he steps up in major games and creates a moment or series of moments that define his Heisman run. If that comes, his combination of team success + individual impact could place him among the final two or three.

Gunner Stockton Talks about 3-Touchdown Performance in Blowout Win

4. Marcel Reed (QB, Texas A&M)

Reed has emerged as a legitimate contender for the Heisman thanks to his dual-threat capability, team success, and increasing production. With the Texas A&M Aggies undefeated and driving toward an SEC-title opportunity, Reed’s candidacy receives a significant boost. Analysts note that Reed, still young in his career, carries outstanding total-offense numbers (passing + rushing) and has shown improvement in decision-making and leadership. What works in his favor: he is in a high-profile conference, playing in critical games, and has a “story” of rising up. What works against him: his passing efficiency and touchdown-to-interception numbers are not yet at the elite level of some of the other qualifiers (for example, his 19 TD passes and 6 INT noted earlier). If he continues to improve these stats and deliver big wins, he could climb into the top three.

Marcel Reed🔥Electric Texas A&M QB 2025 Highlights

3. Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)

Simpson plays for a perennial powerhouse in the Alabama Crimson Tide and that gives him an important “platform” in the Heisman race. He has shown remarkable poise, efficiency, and leadership this season, helping keep Alabama in the championship conversation. The Heisman narrative often favors quarterbacks who lead big programs and deliver in big games — Simpson checks both boxes. The remaining questions: will he deliver a signature dominating performance (for example, against a top-tier conference rival), and will his statistics stack up against the highest efficiency passers in the field? If he does, his team’s brand and his personal profile could combine for a strong finish.

Ty Simpson vs Louisiana Monroe (Every Throw and Rush) 2025

2. Julian Sayin (QB, Ohio State)

Sayin has been among the most efficient passers in the country this season, and for good reason. His stats: through nine games he has completed 80.9 % of his passes for 2,491 yards and 24 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions, with a passer-rating north of 190.  At the helm of the Ohio State Buckeyes, he plays a role steeped in tradition and national relevance. His high completion percentage and decision-making in big games give him a strong candidacy. The roadblock? He still needs that signature “moments” highlight — although one came recently in the dominant win at Wisconsin (393 passing yards, 4 TDs) which many pointed to as a potential turning point. For Sayin to claim the Heisman, he likely must produce at an elite level in the closing weeks — especially in high-profile rivalry or playoff-implication games — while continuing to post near-flawless efficiency. If he does so, it may come down to a choice between him and Mendoza for the trophy.

Urban Meyer Spotlights Julian Sayin’s Rapid Growth | Urban Analysis

1. Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

Mendoza has ascended to the No. 1 spot because he combines elite individual efficiency, team success, and the signature moment that voters love. His current stat line: for the season, 2,342 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, with a QBR of 88.1. In the recent road win at Penn State Nittany Lions, he led an 80-yard drive with under two minutes remaining, no timeouts, and delivered a perfectly placed touchdown pass to clinch the game. That moment alone qualifies as a “Heisman moment.” Furthermore, he leads the nation in completion efficiency and has already produced multiple high-level passing performances, such as 21-of-23 for five passing TDs in one game.On top of that, the Indiana Hoosiers are undefeated and climbing in the rankings, which gives his candidacy massive momentum. For voters, the combination of standout performance, winning, and big signature moment is a potent mix — and Mendoza checks all three boxes. Unless he falters in the closing stretch or another candidate bursts ahead with a bigger moment, Mendoza is in the driver’s seat for the Heisman.

Fernando Mendoza every throw vs Oregon

✅ Conclusion

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Heisman race has clearly drawn tighter. For Mendoza, the final stretch is about maintaining that elite level of play and avoiding any slip-ups. For Sayin, it’s about producing a blockbuster finish that matches his efficiency thus far. Reed, Simpson, and the rest need those signature big-game moments now.