Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Tops 2025 College Football Player Rankings

Mendoza's remarkable rise from unranked to Heisman Trophy winner and national champion stuns experts.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:47am

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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been ranked as the top player in college football for the 2025 season by ESPN, a stunning rise after he was not even ranked in the preseason top 100 players. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect season, a Big Ten title, a national championship, and won the Heisman Trophy, with several near-perfect performances throughout the year.

Why it matters

Mendoza's rapid ascent from obscurity to the top of the college football world is an incredible story, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of the sport. His success also shines a light on the work of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti in building the program and identifying talented transfers like Mendoza.

The details

Mendoza, a transfer from Cal, put together an incredible season for Indiana, setting the school's single-season passing touchdown record with 41. He had several standout games, including going 19-of-20 passing with 5 touchdowns against Indiana State and 21-of-23 passing with 5 touchdowns against Illinois during the regular season. Mendoza also excelled in the Rose Bowl (14-of-16, 3 TDs) and Peach Bowl (17-of-20, 5 TDs) to lead Indiana to the national championship.

  • Mendoza was not ranked in the preseason top 100 college football players.
  • Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy at the end of the 2025 season.
  • Indiana won the national championship in the 2025 season.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The Indiana Hoosiers' quarterback who went from unranked in the preseason to winning the Heisman Trophy and leading his team to a national championship in 2025.

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, who built the program and identified the talent in transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

D'Angelo Ponds

Indiana's standout cornerback who also made ESPN's postseason top 25 players list.

Carter Smith

Indiana's offensive tackle who was also recognized as one of the top 25 players in college football for 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Indiana's first Heisman Trophy winner propelled the Hoosiers to their first outright Big Ten title since 1945, first wins in the Rose and Peach bowls and a once-unthinkable national title. A transfer from Cal, Mendoza had several near-perfect performances, not only during the regular season against Indiana State (19-of-20 passing, five touchdowns) and Illinois (21-of-23 passing, five touchdowns), but also in the Rose (14-of-16 passing, three touchdowns) and Peach (17-of-20, five touchdowns). His 41 passing touchdowns marked an Indiana single-season record.”

— Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Writer (ESPN)

What’s next

Mendoza will now look to build on his historic 2025 season and lead Indiana to repeat as national champions in 2026.

The takeaway

Fernando Mendoza's meteoric rise from unranked to the top player in college football is a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the sport. His success also highlights the work of Indiana's coaching staff in identifying and developing talented transfers like Mendoza, who helped transform the Hoosiers into national champions.