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The game’s best took the spotlight Friday night at the annual College Football Awards, with more than 20 trophies handed out over the course of the evening.
One of the night’s biggest winners was Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He opened the ceremony by winning the Davey O’Brien Award, presented to the nation’s top quarterback, becoming the first Indiana player to earn the honor.
Mendoza also claimed the Walter Camp Award, which recognizes college football’s player of the year. He previously won the Maxwell Award earlier this week, the sport’s other player-of-the-year honor.
Texas Tech standout Jacob Rodriguez earned the Bednarik and Chuck Bednarik Awards as the nation’s top defensive player. He also won the Butkus Award, given annually to college football’s top linebacker.Â
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award, honoring the nation’s top receiver. Lemon is the second USC player to win the award, joining program legend Marqise Lee.
Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love took home the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. Love is one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. The Heisman will be announced Saturday.
A full list of Friday night’s winners can be found below.
Where to watch the College Football Awards showÂ
Date: Friday, Dec. 12 |Â Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)Â
Be sure to check back for the full list of award winners for the 2025 college football season as they are announced below:
AwardCategory2025 WinnerMaxwell AwardPlayer of the YearFernando Mendoza | IndianaWalter Camp AwardPlayer of the YearFernando Mendoza | IndianaHome Depot AwardCoach of the YearCurt Cignetti | Indiana Jim Thorpe AwardBest Defensive BackCaleb Downs | Ohio State Davey O’Brien AwardBest QuarterbackFernando Mendoza | IndianaRimington AwardBest CenterLogan Jones | IowaLou Groza AwardBest PlacekickerTate Sandell | OklahomaButkus AwardBest LinebackerJacob Rodriguez | Texas TechDoak Walker AwardBest Running BackJeremiyah Love | Notre DameBiletnikoff AwardOutstanding ReceiverMakai Lemon | USCJohn Mackey AwardBest Tight EndEli Stowers | VanderbiltOutland TrophyBest Interior LinemanSpencer Fano | UtahRay Guy AwardBest PunterBrett Thorson | Georgia Bednarik AwardDefensive Player of the YearJacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech Bronko Nagurski TrophyDefensive Player of the YearJacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech Burlsworth TrophyTop Former Walk-OnDrew Mestemaker | North TexasDisney Spirit AwardMost InspirationalJeremiyah Love | Notre DameWilliam V. Campbell TrophyAcademic HeismanEli Stowers | VanderbiltWuerffel TrophyCommunity ServiceMichael Taaffe | Texas