The 2025 college football season belonged to the overlooked players. While preseason rankings focused on established stars, several under-the-radar talents delivered breakout campaigns that changed everything.
Fernando Mendoza led this group by capturing the Heisman Trophy after starting the year unranked.
Here are five players who shattered their preseason expectations, according to ESPN’s Top-100 rankings.
The Heisman Winner Nobody Saw Coming
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
• Preseason Rank: Unranked
• Postseason Rank: #1
• The Breakthrough: The Cal transfer went from backup quarterback to Heisman Trophy winner in one season. Mendoza guided Indiana to a perfect 16-0 record and the National Championship, throwing 41 touchdown passes. He’s now the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
• Preseason Rank: 33rd
• Postseason Rank: #2
• The Comeback: After missing most of 2024 with injury, Bain dominated the ACC. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors with 9.5 sacks. NFL scouts love his pass-rushing ability, and he’s projected as a top-five pick this April.
The Miami edge rusher showed no lingering effects from his previous injury concerns.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
• Preseason Rank: No. 97
• Postseason Rank: No. 9
• The Surprise: Pavia led Vanderbilt to a stunning 10-3 season and finished second in Heisman voting. He threw for over 3,500 yards while making clutch plays throughout the year. The undersized quarterback worked his way onto NFL draft boards as a potential Day 2 or 3 selection.
Late-Round Risers
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
• Preseason Rank: Unranked
• Postseason Rank: No. 20
• The Breakout: Lacy became the centerpiece of Lane Kiffin’s offense. He consistently rushed for 150+ yards against SEC defenses throughout the season. The running back transformed from an unknown into a premier 2026 prospect with elite breakaway speed. However, he’s expected to return to Ole Miss for another season.
These players proved that preseason rankings don’t always tell the full story.
