Heisman Hopefuls: Will the NFL Draft Streak Continue for College Football’s Elite?
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The tradition of Heisman Trophy winners dominating the NFL Draft is a powerful one. Of the last 21 Heisman recipients, an astounding 19 were selected in the first round, with 16 landing within the top 10 picks – a streak of nine consecutive years seeing a Heisman winner drafted in the top 10. As the 2025 Heisman ceremony approaches alongside live coverage of the Army-Navy game, the question looms: will this impressive run continue with this year’s finalists?
All four contenders – Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, diego Pavia, and Julian Sayin – possess NFL potential, though their draft trajectories vary considerably.
Fernando Mendoza: The Hoosiers’ History-Maker
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has already cemented his place in college football lore, leading the Hoosiers to their most prosperous season ever. Currently favored as the potential no. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft,Mendoza’s stock has steadily risen since transferring from Cal.
While not possessing elite arm strength or athleticism, Mendoza excels in accuracy and processing, thriving within Indiana’s run-pass option (RPO)-heavy offense. “Box-score scouts won’t love Mendoza’s 229.2 passing yards per game in 2025,but that’s more a product of Indiana’s balanced offense than anything,” one analyst noted. He consistently delivers “NFL throws,” especially in critical moments.
His performance against Ohio State’s top-ranked defense exemplified this, highlighted by a fourth-and-2 conversion under pressure, a 51-yard pass to Charlie Becker, and a game-sealing 33-yard completion. Had any of those plays failed, the outcome could have been drastically different, yet Mendoza consistently rises to the occasion.
NFL Draft Projection: Assuming he declares for the draft, Mendoza has a strong chance of being the No. 1 pick in 2026. His skillset draws comparisons to Jared Goff, who, despite lacking elite physical traits, was selected first overall in 2016 due to his intelligence and passing ability. A similar scenario could unfold for Mendoza.
Jeremiyah Love: Notre Dame’s Explosive Weapon
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love entered the season as the nation’s top back and arguably exceeded expectations. The St. Louis native demonstrated improved patience and a consistent north-south running style, maintaining his big-play capability.
Love matched his 6.9 yards per carry average from the previous season and led the FBS with eight plays of 20-plus yards – four rushing and four receiving. Over the past two seasons, he amassed 40 touchdowns from scrimmage, eight more than any other player.
“At a certain point, you just bet on the unique athlete who can do freaky things with the ball in his hands,” a senior official stated, drawing parallels to Saquon Barkley, who faced similar pre-draft scrutiny. Love’s ability to accelerate and power through contact makes him a formidable opponent, especially when attacking the second level of a defense. He is, according to scouts, an explosive playmaker who promptly impacts the scoreboard.
NFL Draft Projection: Love is considered a top-five talent in the 2026 NFL Draft and the highest-graded running back since Bijan Robinson. Though, the positional value typically assigned to running backs may prevent him from being selected in the top five, with a likely landing spot in the six-to-12 range.
Diego Pavia: The Vanderbilt Surprise
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has forced NFL evaluators to reconsider their assessments after a breakout 2025 season.Similar to Mendoza’s impact at Indiana, Pavia has spearheaded a remarkable turnaround for the Commodores.
This season, Pavia accounted for 36 total touchdowns (27 passing, nine rushing) and ranks second in college football with 162 plays of 10-plus yards. His ability to react quickly and utilize his athletic instincts are his defining traits.
However, Pavia’s smaller stature (measured at 5’9″) and occasionally erratic play are concerns. He also threw eight interceptions in 2025. Despite these drawbacks, his completion percentage improved considerably, rising almost 12 points from the previous season (59.4 to 71.2).
NFL Draft Projection: Only one Heisman Trophy winner has gone undrafted in the last 30 years (Jason White).While Pavia currently receives “priority free agent” grades from most NFL scouts, they acknowledge the possibility of him sneaking into the later rounds, particularly after interviews with NFL coaches. Quarterback is frequently enough described as an “intangible” position,and Pavia’s competitive spirit is expected to resonate with teams.
Julian Sayin: Ohio State’s rising Star
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin continues the program’s recent tradition of Heisman finalists, marking the fifth time in eight years an Ohio State signal-caller has been invited to New York City.
In his first year as a starter, Sayin has completed 78.4 percent of his passes, putting him on track to break Bo Nix’s NCAA record (77.4). He also leads the FBS in passing efficiency (182.1) with a 31-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
While benefiting from exceptional wide receivers, Sayin demonstrates the talent to read defenses, manage the pocket, and deliver accurate passes. A clip from the Wisconsin game, showcasing his poise under pressure and a 50-yard completion to carnell Tate, is expected to be a staple in draft analysis.
NFL Draft Projection: As only a second-year player, Sayin is ineligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.Though, he is already considered a top prospect for the talent-rich 2027 quarterback class. Despite some inexperience, particularly evident in the Big Ten title game against Indiana, Sayin is poised for continued growth and success.
The 2026 NFL Draft promises to be a engaging showcase of college football’s brightest stars. Weather the streak of first-round Heisman selections will continue remains to be seen,but the talent pool is undeniably deep,and the potential for future NFL stars is abundant.
