The Heisman Trophy committee announced four finalists this week who’ll travel to New York for the prestigious award ceremony.
Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love earned spots after their standout seasons. Mendoza and Pavia are considered the frontrunners after dominant campaigns.
Sayin’s breakout year for Ohio State landed him on the list. Love is viewed as the nation’s top non-quarterback.
But several players had strong cases for inclusion yet didn’t make the final cut. While this year’s race wasn’t as deep as previous seasons, a few players can argue they deserved a trip to New York.
Biggest Heisman Trophy Snubs
Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State WR
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith didn’t make the finalist list despite another strong showing for the 12-1 Buckeyes.
Why Smith deserved consideration
Smith is widely regarded as the country’s best wide receiver. He’s totaled over 2,400 receiving yards in just two collegiate seasons. Many fans and analysts consider him the nation’s best player regardless of position.
Smith led Ohio State’s high-powered offense in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as the defending national champions. He made several spectacular catches that captivated audiences nationwide.
JEREMIAH SMITH ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
He snags an unreal TD catch for @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/yBTdM0xfTW
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 1, 2025
What worked against Smith
His numbers didn’t separate him enough from other receivers. Smith’s 80 receptions for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns all ranked in the top 10 nationally. Only his reception total led the Big Ten, and none of those stats led the country.
Without his name recognition, Smith probably wouldn’t have been in Heisman discussions all season.
His final two regular season games against UCLA and Michigan hurt his case. Smith managed just seven catches for 80 total yards in those contests, likely ending his New York chances.
Ty Simpson – Alabama QB
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson was once the nation’s hottest signal-caller but didn’t do enough to earn finalist status.
Simpson’s strong case
After three years as a backup, Simpson took over the Crimson Tide and immediately entered Heisman conversations. He threw for 3,268 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading Alabama back to the College Football Playoff.
Simpson’s signature moment came in a road victory over Georgia in Athens. He opened the season with eight straight multi-touchdown games and eight contests with at least 250 passing yards.
Where Simpson fell short
Simpson may have been the Heisman favorite at one point, but he struggled during the season’s final weeks. In his last three games, including the SEC Championship against Georgia, Simpson threw for under 481 yards total in two contests.
He managed just four passing touchdowns and three interceptions during that stretch.
Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech LB
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a chance to be the ceremony’s lone defensive representative but ultimately didn’t make the cut.
Rodriguez’s impressive case
Rodriguez played a huge role in Texas Tech’s magical 12-1 season and Big 12 championship. The former Virginia quarterback transferred and switched positions in 2022, spending four years at linebacker.
During 2025, Rodriguez recorded 117 combined tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and one sack while anchoring one of the nation’s top defenses.
He even contributed on offense, rushing for two touchdowns on two attempts earlier this season.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with his FIRST CAREER OFFENSIVE TD for @TexasTechFB
And he hit the Heisman as his celebration pic.twitter.com/zzOWSXR1Qr
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 15, 2025
Why Rodriguez didn’t make it
Defensive players need eye-popping numbers to earn Heisman consideration, which Rodriguez couldn’t quite produce. He led the nation in just one category – his seven forced fumbles.
Rodriguez’s greatest attribute was leading the Red Raiders’ defense to 12 wins. But defensive players face an uphill battle for Heisman recognition without standout statistical dominance.
The linebacker couldn’t put up the numbers needed to compete with this year’s offensive stars.
