Steelers Now
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Mendoza, who led Indiana to 13-0 record and Big Ten title, beat out Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin to win the 2025 Heisman
“Standing here tonight, holding this bad boy, representing Indiana University still doesn’t feel real,” Mendoza said after winning the award. “If you told me as a kid in Miami, that I’d be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I probably would have laughed, cried like I’m doing now or both. Because this moment, it’s an honor, it’s bigger than me. It’s a product of a family, team, community and a whole lot of people who believed in me long before anybody knew my name.”
Mendoza, who’s in his first season at Indiana after transferring from California, has completed 226 of 316 pass attempts (72.)%) for 2,980 yards and 33 touchdowns with just six interceptions this year. Mendoza has thrown the most touchdown passes of any player in college football and ranks second in total touchdowns behind South Florida’s Byrum Brown.
The Steelers had scouts at multiple Indiana games this year. They also scouted Mendoza when he was at Cal. With Mendoza winning the Heisman, it’s pretty much certain that he’ll be a top-3 pick in the NFL Draft. So unless the Steelers trade up, he won’t be a Steeler.
Mendoza honored mother during his speech after winning the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza’s mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
“Mom, this is your trophy as much as it is mine. You’ve always been my biggest fan … Your sacrifices, courage, love…,” Mendoza said.
“Those have been my first playbook and the playbook that I’m gonna carry by my side, through my entire life…”
JUST IN: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza honors his mother during his speech after winning the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza’s mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
“Mom, this is your trophy as much as it is mine. You've always been my biggest fan … Your sacrifices,… pic.twitter.com/wYC8qZJHFj
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 14, 2025
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Potential Steelers Draft Target Wins Heisman Trophy
