"Mendoza was the most complete player in college football in 2025."
So many players put it all on the turf this season, lets take a look at their hard earned hardware:
Fernando Mendoza | Indiana
Awards: Maxwell Award (Player of the Year), Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year), Davey O’Brien Award (Best Quarterback), AP Player of the Year
Key Stats
2,980 passing yards
33 passing touchdowns
6 interceptions
240 rushing yards
6 rushing touchdowns
71.5% completion percentage
Led Indiana to its best season in program history
Why He Won
Mendoza was the most complete player in college football in 2025. He combined elite efficiency with high-volume production, consistently delivering in big moments. His command of Indiana’s offense elevated the Hoosiers into national relevance, making him the clear choice for both Player of the Year honors and the nation’s top quarterback award.
Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech
Awards: Butkus Award (Best Linebacker), Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player of the Year), Lombardi Award (Top Lineman or Linebacker)
Key Stats
117 total tackles
61 solo tackles
1 sacks
7 forced fumbles
4 interceptions
Why He Won
Rodriguez was the most dominant defensive player in the country. He impacted every level of the game run defense, pass coverage, and pass rush while serving as the emotional leader of Texas Tech’s defense. His versatility and consistency made him the unanimous choice for linebackers and national defensive honors.
Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame
Awards: Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back), Disney Spirit Award (Most Inspirational)
Key Stats
1,372 rushing yards
18 rushing touchdowns
6.9 yards per carry
Added 280 receiving yards
3 receiving touchdowns
Why He Won
Love was the engine of Notre Dame’s offense, delivering explosive plays while carrying a heavy workload. Beyond the numbers, his resilience through adversity and leadership within the program earned him recognition as both the nation’s top running back and its most inspirational player.
Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt
Awards: John Mackey Award (Best Tight End), William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman)
Key Stats
62 receptions
769 receiving yards
4 touchdowns
Honors student and team captain
Why He Won
Stowers redefined Vanderbilt’s offense with elite production at tight end while excelling academically. His ability to dominate on the field and in the classroom made him the perfect embodiment of the Mackey and Campbell awards.
Caleb Downs | Ohio State
Award: Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back) Lott IMPACT Trophy (Defensive Player of the Year with Character)
Key Stats
60 tackles
40 tackles
2 interceptions
10 pass breakups
Elite coverage grade vs. top receivers
Why He Won
Downs was the nation’s premier defensive back, locking down opposing passing attacks while creating turnovers. His instincts, range, and football IQ separated him from the rest of the field.
Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt
Awards: Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Best Upperclassman Quarterback)
Key Stats
3,192 passing yards
27 passing touchdowns
8 interceptions
87.7 QBR - 4th in the nation
826 rushing yards
9 rushing touchdowns
Why He Won
Pavia demonstrated exceptional leadership and consistency as an upperclassman quarterback, excelling in both passing and game management while elevating Vanderbilt’s offense.
Logan Jones | Iowa
Award: Rimington Award (Best Center)
Key Stats
0 sacks allowed
Anchored a top 10 rushing offense
Elite run-blocking grades
Why He Won
Jones was the most reliable center in the country, consistently controlling the line of scrimmage and making Iowa’s offense function at a high level.
Tate Sandell | Oklahoma
Award: Lou Groza Award (Best Placekicker)
Key Stats
23-of-24 field goals
Perfect inside 50 yards
Multiple game-winning kicks
Why He Won
Sandell was automatic all season, delivering consistency and clutch performances that directly impacted Oklahoma’s wins.
Makai Lemon | USC
Award: Biletnikoff Award (Outstanding Receiver)
Key Stats
79 receptions
1,156 receiving yards
11 touchdowns
Average 14.6 yards per reception
Why He Won
Lemon was the most dangerous receiver in college football, excelling after the catch and against elite coverage while serving as USC’s primary offensive weapon.
Spencer Fano | Utah
Award: Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
Key Stats
Dominant interior blocking
0 sacks allowed
Top run-block efficiency
Why He Won
Fano controlled the trenches, paving the way for Utah’s physical identity and consistently overpowering opposing defensive fronts.
Brett Thorson | Georgia
Award: Ray Guy Award (Best Punter)
Key Stats
42 yards per punt
21 punts inside the 20
45.2 average punt length
Long of 66
Why He Won
Thorson flipped field position better than anyone in the country, playing a vital role in Georgia’s defensive dominance.
Drew Mestemaker | North Texas
Award: Burlsworth Trophy (Top Former Walk-On)
Key Stats
4,129 yards - #1 in the nation
31 touchdowns
7 interceptions
Why He Won
Mestemaker’s rise from walk-on to star starter exemplified perseverance and development, making him the ideal Burlsworth recipient. He also led North Texas to its first appearance in the CFP top 25.
Michael Taaffe | Texas
Award: Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Why He Won
Taaffe stood out nationally for his commitment to community service, leadership, and impact off the field, representing the highest ideals of college football.
KC Concepcion | Texas A&M
Awards: Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player)
Key Stats
57 receptions
886 receiving yards
9 receiving touchdowns
Led the SEC with 460 punt return yards
2 punt return touchdowns
Why they won: Concepcion’s ability to contribute at multiple positions and make an impact in various phases of the game showcased his unmatched versatility and value to Texas A&M.
Curt Cignetti | Indiana
Award: Home Depot Award (Coach of the Year)
Key Achievements
Program-record wins
Major turnaround season
National ranking finish
Why He Won
Cignetti engineered one of the biggest program turnarounds in college football. His culture-building, player development, and tactical coaching elevated Indiana to heights the program had never reached.
Kalani Sitake | BYU
Awards: Buddy Teevens Award (Coach with Lasting Impact)
Why they won: Sitake earned recognition for his lasting influence on his program, emphasizing character, culture, and development both on and off the field.
Key Stat
33 passing touchdowns
