By Blessing Nweke
The race for college football’s most prestigious individual honor reached its final stage Monday night as the Heisman Trophy Trust announced the four finalists for this year’s award. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin will travel to New York for Saturday night’s ceremony, where one will be crowned the nation’s top player.
Love has been one of the most explosive rushers in the Bowl Subdivision this season. The Notre Dame standout ranks fourth nationally in total rushing yards with 1,372, fifth in average yards per game at 114.33, and third with 18 rushing touchdowns. His performance helped propel the ninth-ranked Fighting Irish into playoff contention late in the year, though they ultimately missed the College Football Playoff and later declined a bowl invitation.
Indiana’s Mendoza has been the engine behind the Hoosiers’ stunning rise to the No. 1 ranking and the top seed in the inaugural 12-team CFP format. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 2,980 yards and a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes, while adding six rushing scores to cement himself as one of the most dynamic dual threats in the country.
Vanderbilt’s Pavia continued his historic campaign by becoming the first Heisman finalist in school history. The Commodores’ leader set a program record with 3,192 passing yards and added 27 touchdowns, driving No. 13 Vanderbilt to one of its most memorable seasons.
Ohio State’s Sayin rounds out the field after guiding the Buckeyes to a No. 1 ranking for much of the season. The freshman sensation passed for 3,329 yards and tied for second nationally with 31 touchdown throws, reinforcing Ohio State’s reputation for elite quarterback play.
The winner will be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in New York.
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