The Heisman Trophy will be awarded Saturday night in New York, where Mendoza enters as the overwhelming favorite, according to BetMGM.
The California transfer engineered a historic season for the Hoosiers, guiding Indiana to a perfect 13-0 record, a Big Ten championship win over Ohio State and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He finished the year with an FBS-best 33 touchdown passes, setting a single-season program record and becoming Indiana’s first-ever O’Brien Award winner.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. It really doesn’t feel real,” Mendoza said from New York after being named the O’Brien winner. “It’s a testament to so many people who believed in me, who have helped groom me into the player I am today and all those people, especially before anybody knew my name.”
Mendoza edged out Ohio State freshman Julian Sayin and Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed for the O’Brien Award, with all three signal-callers preparing to lead their teams in the College Football Playoff. For the Maxwell Award, Mendoza topped Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who became the Irish’s first Doak Walker Award winner after scoring a school-record 21 touchdowns.
The Maxwell honor made Mendoza only the second winner in Indiana history, joining former Hoosiers running back Anthony Thompson, who captured the award in 1989.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez claimed the Chuck Bednarik Award as defensive player of the year, adding to his earlier Bronko Nagurski Award win. Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award after finishing among the nation’s top 10 with 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s best defensive back, while Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano captured the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman. Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell took home the Lou Groza Award, and Georgia punter Brett Thorson won the Ray Guy Award, with both players heading to the College Football Playoff with their respective teams.
How many Maxwell, Davey O’Brien award winners have won the Heisman Trophy?
2024
Position: RB
Maxwell winner: Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
Heisman: No
Heisman winner: WR/CB Travis Hunter
2023
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)
Heisman: No
Heisman winner: QB Jayden Daniels
2022
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Caleb Williams (USC)
Heisman: Yes
2021
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Bryce Young (Alabama)
Heisman: Yes
2020
Position: WR
Maxwell winner: DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
Heisman: Yes
2019
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Joe Burrow (LSU)
Heisman: Yes
2018
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
Heisman: No
Heisman winner: QB Kyler Murray
2017
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
Heisman: Yes
2016
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Heisman: Yes
2015
Position: RB
Maxwell winner: Derrick Henry (Alabama)
Heisman: Yes
2014
Position: QB
Maxwell winner: Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
Heisman: Yes
Maxwell Winners Who Did Not Win the Heisman (Other Notable Years)
2013
Maxwell: QB AJ McCarron (Alabama)
Heisman: QB Jameis Winston (Florida State)
2012
Maxwell: LB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Heisman: QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
2011
Maxwell: QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)
Heisman: QB Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
2009
Maxwell: QB Colt McCoy (Texas)
Heisman: RB Mark Ingram (Alabama)
2008
Maxwell: QB Tim Tebow (Florida)
Heisman: QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)
Note: Tebow won the Heisman in 2007, not 2008
2006
Maxwell: QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)
Heisman: QB Troy Smith (Ohio State)
2004
Maxwell: QB Jason White (Oklahoma)
Heisman: QB Matt Leinart (USC)
