BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Monday, the Hesiman Trophy Trust announced the 2025 finalists, who will earn a trip to New York City for the award ceremony, with Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed missing the list.
Released in alphabetical order, the finalists are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
Reed completed 61.8% of his passes this season for 2,932 yards and 25 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 466 yards and six scores. Reed’s completion percentage and passing yards were less than the other three quarterback contenders he listed.
Heisman Trophy Quarterback CandidatesNameTeamCompletion %Passing YardsPassing TDsINTsRushesRushing YardsRushing TDsFernando MendozaIndiana71.52,980336692406Diego PaviaVanderbilt71.23,1922781528269Julian SayinOhio State78.43,32931637-20Marcel ReedTexas A&M61.82,9322510894666
However, the junior successfully led comeback efforts in A&M’s wins over Notre Dame, LSU, and South Carolina. Reed spoke about how his clutch abilities should make him a contender for the trophy on Robert Griffin III’s podcast “Outta Pocket.”
“Based off of, not stats, but the games that I’ve been in and what I’ve done in big games,” Reed said. “I think I’m one of the best players in the country. This team has helped me out a lot. We’ve got guys around me that have helped me get to this point and the record shows it.”
Reed was a Vegas favorite to earn a finalist nod up until the Aggies’ lone loss of the year at Texas to close out the regular season. In that game, Reed completed 62.5% of his passes for 180 yards, but threw two interceptions late in the fourth quarter as the Aggies attempted to make a comeback. Reed also rushed for 71 yards in the game.
After the game, Reed was asked what he thought the loss would do to his Heisman chances.
“I don’t know and I really don’t care,” he said. “Whatever they want to say about it, they can say about it. I’m trying to play for a national championship right now.”
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