The heisman ceremony 2025 was staged in New York City on Saturday, December 13, with college football’s biggest individual honor presented during a nationally televised prime-time show. The annual event brought the sport’s top four finalists together for a full weekend of interviews, media events, and the formal presentation of the trophy.
This year’s finalists were Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The group featured three quarterbacks and one running back, reflecting how modern college offenses continue to shape the award race.
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When and where the ceremony took place
The ceremony was held in New York City at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room. It aired at 7 p.m. Eastern on ABC as part of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan. The show marked the 91st time the trophy has been awarded.
Who hosted and what the broadcast included
Chris Fowler served as the on-air host for the ceremony. The TV production traditionally mixes finalist features, live interviews, season highlight packages, and appearances from past Heisman winners. Reporters and analysts also conduct live conversations with the finalists and their families during the broadcast.
The four 2025 finalists at a glance
The Heisman Trophy Trust invites four finalists to New York City, and this season’s quartet offered a clear snapshot of 2025’s biggest storylines: an unbeaten title run, a program turnaround, a blue-blood contender’s offensive centerpiece, and an elite quarterback season at a national power.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza entered the ceremony weekend after a landmark season that helped push Indiana to an undefeated 13–0 record, a Big Ten championship, and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He was also recognized with major national honors during awards week, including the Maxwell Award and the Davey O’Brien Award. Statistically, he produced 2,980 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns while completing 71.5% of his throws, adding 240 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Pavia became one of the defining faces of Vanderbilt’s best season in decades. He set a school record with 3,192 passing yards and finished the year with 27 passing touchdowns. His dual-threat style and leadership were central to Vanderbilt’s rise, turning him into both a national headline and a finalist in a Heisman year dominated by high-impact quarterback play.
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Sayin’s season for Ohio State included 3,329 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns. He kept the Buckeyes at or near the top of the national picture for much of the year and produced the type of week-to-week efficiency that voters often reward—strong production, control of games, and consistency against a high-expectation schedule.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love stood out as the lone running back finalist. He totaled 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, adding receiving production and finishing with 21 total touchdowns. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back and delivered multiple signature performances during the season, helping Notre Dame’s offense maintain balance and explosiveness.
How the Heisman winner is selected
The Heisman is decided by a broad voting body that includes sports media members across regions, past Heisman winners, and a fan vote component. Ballots are ranked, points are awarded by position on the ballot, and totals determine the winner. The finalists invited to New York represent the top finishers in the final vote count.
What the Heisman weekend looks like for finalists
By the time the trophy is presented on stage, the finalists have already completed a packed schedule. The Heisman weekend typically includes:
- A finalist arrival period with official photos and media availability
- Interview blocks with national broadcasters and reporters
- A formal press conference with the finalists seated together
- A ceremony rehearsal and walkthrough at the venue
- The live prime-time event where the winner is announced on stage
For fans, this matters because the ceremony isn’t only an award reveal—it’s also a televised look back at the season, featuring extended storytelling packages that highlight each finalist’s background, turning points, and defining games.
Why the 2025 finalist list mattered
The 2025 field offered a clear narrative: quarterback production remained central to the award conversation, but an elite running back still earned a seat at the table through touchdown production, explosive plays, and weekly impact. With three quarterbacks among the four finalists, the season reinforced how efficient passing offenses continue to drive individual awards in today’s game.
At the same time, the schools represented showed how broad the sport has become at the top level. Indiana’s rise into the No. 1 seed conversation created one of the season’s biggest storylines. Vanderbilt’s breakthrough season put a traditional underdog back in the national spotlight. Ohio State continued its standard of elite quarterback play and championship contention. Notre Dame featured a running back whose production and awards résumé demanded national attention.
How fans followed the ceremony
The live broadcast aired on ABC, with streaming options also available through major TV streaming services that carry the channel. Fans typically follow along not only for the final announcement, but also for the on-stage reactions, the short interviews immediately after the award is presented, and the final vote-order reveal of the top finishers.
What comes next after the ceremony
After Heisman weekend, attention quickly shifts back to the postseason. Many finalists are also preparing for bowl games or the College Football Playoff, and the award becomes part of the larger résumé of a player’s season. The trophy winner joins a historic list that stretches back to 1935, and their school receives a replica trophy for display as part of the tradition.
Why “heisman ceremony 2025” stayed a major national moment
The heisman ceremony 2025 wasn’t only about crowning a winner—it served as a season capstone for college football. The show gathered the sport’s biggest individual performers in one place, highlighted the defining moments of the year, and gave fans one more prime-time celebration before the postseason takes over the spotlight.
