For the first time in program history, Indiana football has a Heisman Trophy winner.

On Saturday night, Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza was named the winner of the 2025 Heisman as the most outstanding player in college football. Mendoza has led IU to a 13-0 season, its first Big Ten title since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Mendoza beat out fellow finalists Diego Pavia, Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin.

A transfer addition from Cal this past offseason, Mendoza was lightly recruited coming out of high school but has become the top quarterback in college football and one of the top signal-caller prospects in the 2026 NFL draft. The Miami native has thrown for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

Mendoza's win also ends a nearly two-decade drought for the Big Ten, which saw its first Heisman winner since Ohio State's Troy Smith in 2006.

With a Heisman Trophy in tow, Mendoza and the Hoosiers have a bye in the first round of the CFP. They await the winner of the first-round game between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza becomes Hoosiers' 1st Heisman Trophy winner

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect