Finalists for 2025 College Football Awards Announced: Full List for Top Honors

The finalists for several of college football’s top honors have been announced.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a finalist for multiple awards this year. / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

With the 2025 college football regular season in the books, it’s time for awards season.

As teams prepare for the College Football Playoff, bowl games, and/or the transfer portal next month, the top players in the nation will be honored and recognized with some of the sport’s most prestigious honors.

The majority of the awards listed below will be announced on Dec. 12, with the Heisman Trophy ceremony taking place on Dec. 13.

Before the award winners are announced in the coming weeks, here’s a look at the finalists.

Chuck Bednarik Award

Named in honor of Hall of Fame Penn center and linebacker Chuck Bednarik, the Chuck Bednarik Award has been given to the best defensive player of the year in college football since 1995.

• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - 60 tackles, five TFL, one sack, two INTs, one pass breakup
• Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M - 29 tackles, 13 TFL, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech - 114 tackles, 9.5 TFL, one sack, four INTs, six pass breakups, seven forced fumbles

Biletnikoff Award

The Biletnikoff Award, named in honor of Hall of Fame Florida State receiver Fred Biletnikoff, is given annually to the most outstanding receiver in college football

• Skyler Bell, WR, UConn - 101 receptions, 1,276 yards, 13 touchdowns
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC - 79 receptions, 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns
• Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State - 80 receptions, 1,086 yards, 11 touchdowns

Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award

Named in honor of former Ohio State kicker Lou Groza, the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is presented annually to the top kicker in college football.

• Aidan Birr, K, Georgia Tech - 25 of 28 (89.3%) field goals, 42 of 42 (100%) extra points, 117 total points
• Kansei Matsuzawa, K, Hawai’i - 25 of 26 (96.2%) field goals, 37 of 37 (100%) 112 total points
• Tate Sandell, K, Oklahoma - 23 of 24 (95.8%) field goals, 32 of 32 (100%) extra points, 101 total points

Ray Guy Award

The Ray Guy Award, named in honor of Hall of Fame Southern Miss punter Ray Guy, is given annually to the most outstanding punter in college football.

• Brett Thorson, P, Georgia - 45.2 yards per punt, 21 inside the 20
• Evan Crenshaw, P, Troy - 45.8 yards per punt, 28 inside the 20
• Palmer Williams, P, Baylor - 46.9 yards per punt, 11 inside the 20

Maxwell Award

The Maxwell Award is given annually to the most outstanding player in college football. It is named after former Swarthmore college player Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, who went on to become a referee and sportswriter.

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - 199 carries, 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns (6.9 YPC)
• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - 226 of 316 (71.5%) for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, six INTs
• Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State - 279 of 356 (78.4%) for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, six INTs

Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award

Named in honor of Hall of Fame TCU quarterback Davey O’Brien, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is bestowed annually to the best quarterback in college football.

• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - 226 of 316 (71.5%) for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, six INTs
• Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M - 209 of 338 (61.8%) for 2,932 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 INTs
• Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State - 279 of 356 (78.4%) for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, six INTs

Outland Trophy

Since 1946, the Outland Trophy has been awarded to interior lineman in college football each year. The award is named after College Football Hall of Fame player and coach John H. Outland.

• Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
• Logan Jones, C, Iowa
• Kayden McDonald, DT Ohio State

Jim Thorpe Award

The Jim Thorpe Award is named in honor of Hall of Fame football player Jim Thorpe, and given each year to the best defensive back in college football.

• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - 45 tackles, two INTs, 11 pass breakups
• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - 60 tackles, five TFL, one sack, two INTs, one pass breakup
• Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame - 31 tackles, five INTs, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble

Doak Walker Award

The Doak Walker Award is given each year to the best running back in college football. The award is named after Hall of Fame SMU running back Doak Walker.

• Ahmad Hardy, Missouri - 241 carries, 1,560 yards, 16 touchdowns (6.5 YPC)
• Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss - 258 carries, 1,279 yards, 20 touchdowns (5.0 YPC)
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - 199 carries, 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns (6.9 YPC)

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award:

Named in honor of Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given to the top upperclassman quarterback that year.

• Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech - 230 of 321 (71.7%) for 2,697 yards, 12 touchdowns, five INTs. 883 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns
• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - 226 of 316 (71.5%) for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, six INTs, 240 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
• Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt - 242 of 340 (71.2%) for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, eight INTs, 826 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns
• Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M - 209 of 338 (61.8%) for 2,932 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 INTs, 466 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
• Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia - 251 of 355 (70.7%) for 2,691 yards, 23 touchdowns, five INTs

John Mackey Award

Named in honor of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, the John Mackey Award goes to the best tight end in college football.

• Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - 40 receptions for 490 yards and eight touchdowns
• Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor - 50 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns
• Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt - 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns

Heisman Trophy:

Named in honor of Hall of Fame college football player, coach and athletic director John Heisman, the Heisman trophy goes to the best player in college football.

• Fernando Mendoza, Indiana - 226 of 316 (71.5%) for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, six INTs, 240 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
• Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame - 199 carries, 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns (6.9 YPC)
• Julian Sayin, Ohio State - 279 of 356 (78.4%) for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, six INTs
• Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt - 242 of 340 (71.2%) for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, eight INTs, 826 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns

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