{"id":297291,"date":"2025-11-17T15:34:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/297291\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T15:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T15:34:12","slug":"on3-heisman-trophy-poll-top-10-player-rankings-after-week-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/297291\/","title":{"rendered":"On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 12"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/indiana-hoosiers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana<\/a> star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/fernando-mendoza-43783\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fernando Mendoza<\/a> took over in the experts\u2019 Heisman Trophy poll last week, and nothing he did this week caused him to relinquish that spot. He was fantastic yet again and once again leads the race for college football\u2019s top award.<\/p>\n<p>On3 stops to poll its top national analysts for their take on college football\u2019s top award. Voting in this poll are Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell and Charles Power.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the national experts submitted a ballot with his top 10 players on it, and we\u2019ve compiled the results to create a complete ranking using points \u2014 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc. Let\u2019s get into how the rankings unfolded below.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 22-of-24 for 299 yards, 4 TD<br \/>Mendoza was virtually perfect as a passer in a comfortable win over a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/badger-blitz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wisconsin<\/a> team that had quietly built a little momentum. The game was never really in question for the Hoosiers, who have moved to 11-0 on the year.<\/p>\n<p>The stellar quarterback has now accounted for 2,641 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, against just five interceptions. He has also run for 216 yards and five scores. Elite all-around production.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/OhioStatevsPurdue-23-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3915286\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 23-of-31 for 184 yards, 1 TD<br \/>Through perhaps no fault of his own, Sayin is in a weird spot when it comes to the Heisman Trophy because he hasn\u2019t really had any signature \u201cmoments.\u201d Ohio State has rolled everyone it has played not named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/texas-longhorns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Because of that, Sayin just isn\u2019t in the spotlight as much despite producing excellent numbers. Will his 2,675 passing yards and 25 touchdowns be enough? It could at least get him into the finalist mix if all continues to go well.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 23 carries for 147 yards, 1 TD | 2 catches for 20 yards<br \/>For the third time in the last four weeks, Love has gone over the 100-yard mark. He has scored a touchdown in every game this season but the opener against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/miami-hurricanes\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Miami<\/a>, so he\u2019s been remarkably consistent, too.<\/p>\n<p>Love\u2019s numbers don\u2019t come close to matching <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/ashton-jeanty-145076\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ashton Jeanty<\/a>\u2018s a year ago, but it\u2019s a different year. He\u2019s clearly the most influential back in the country at this point of the season, which is saying something.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 22-of-39 for 439 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT | 7 carries for 13 yards<br \/>Reed got Texas A&amp;M into some early trouble with two first-half interceptions, allowing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/south-carolina-gamecocks\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">South Carolina<\/a> to build a 30-3 lead in the process. For most teams that would be insurmountable. Reed and company just went to work.<\/p>\n<p>By the time the day was done, Reed had thrown for a season-high 439 yards and three scores. He didn\u2019t use his legs as much against the Gamecocks, but the Aggies still managed to come all the way back for the 31-30 win. Not something you see every day.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/diego-pavia_mizzou-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia vs. Missouri\" class=\"wp-image-3875417\"  \/>\u00a9 Steve Roberts-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: BYE<br \/>Pavia was on a bye this week after putting together arguably his best game of the season in an overtime win over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/auburn-tigers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Auburn<\/a>. In that win, he threw for a season-high 377 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 112 yards and a score.<\/p>\n<p>The veteran quarterback has been the heart and soul of Vanderbilt\u2019s resurgence under coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/coach\/clark-lea-135009\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Clark Lea<\/a>. Vanderbilt is still entertaining very realistic playoff potentially as a result, too.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 28-of-42 for 326 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT<br \/>Though the numbers on paper look respectable enough, Simpson was off in the game against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/oklahoma-sooners\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma<\/a> on Saturday. He threw a pick-six and struggled to hit some very simple completions that would have moved the sticks a number of times.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Simpson moves down considerably in the On3 experts\u2019 Heisman Trophy polling this week. Simpson\u2019s still on a potential playoff contender, so there\u2019s a lot of stage left to show out on. But he needs to if he wants to get back in the running.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 4 catches for 40 yards<br \/>Smith had a quiet day and appeared to be on a pitch count entering the contest. After suffering a slight tweak, Smith shut it down for the weekend and didn\u2019t play any more in the win over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/bruin-blitz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UCLA<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/coach\/ryan-day-133992\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ryan Day<\/a> assured reporters the injury precautions were strictly that. He doesn\u2019t fear any sort of long-term impact for Smith, who is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark (just 98 yards short) for the season.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Haynes-King-1-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3846567\"  \/>Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 26-of-24 for 371 yards, 1 TD | 15 carries for 53 yards<br \/>King didn\u2019t post the kind of touchdown numbers he has at other times during this season, but he was still very good in a tight game against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/eagle-action\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Boston College<\/a>. More impressive than any of the numbers themselves was the fact that King executed in the fourth quarter when it mattered.<\/p>\n<p>Heisman Trophy caliber players are capable of elevating the entire team around them. King did that on Saturday in the win over the Eagles. And his numbers are elite, too \u2014 2,259 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, as well as 807 rushing yards and 14 scores.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 24-of-29 for 229 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT | 6 carries for 29 yards, 1 TD<br \/>For the second time in a month, Stockton managed to account for five total touchdowns in a game against a top 10 team. Somehow, he seems little bit stuck in the Sayin mold where he\u2019s not getting quite the recognition he maybe should.<\/p>\n<p>Stockton has Georgia trending toward a first-round playoff bye currently. He\u2019s also thrown for 2,268 yards and 19 scores (against three interceptions), while rushing for 350 yards and eight touchdowns. On a top-tier team? Don\u2019t be surprised if you start to hear Stockton\u2019s name more down the stretch. He\u2019s deserving.<\/p>\n<p>WEEKEND STATS: 27-of-30 for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/player\/gamelog\/_\/id\/4870921\/dante-moore\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">306 yards<\/a>, 2 TD<br \/>Moore played on Friday night against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/gophers-nation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota<\/a> and was pretty close to perfect. He threw only three incompletions all night and was sacked just once. As a result, Oregon rolled.<\/p>\n<p>Moore is right in the range of some of the other Heisman Trophy hopefuls on this list in terms of stats. But he might still need more standout moments to get into contention as the award voting looms closer. He has 2,190 passing yards and 21 touchdowns (five interceptions), as well as 183 yards rushing.<\/p>\n<p>Rest of the Heisman Trophy Poll<\/p>\n<p>11. QB <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/trinidad-chambliss-250566\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trinidad Chambliss<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/ole-miss-rebels\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ole Miss<\/a> \u2013 14<br \/>12. EDGE <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/david-bailey-144758\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">David Bailey<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/red-raider-sports\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Tech<\/a> \u2013 9<br \/>13. WR <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/makai-lemon-81341\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Makai Lemon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/usc-trojans\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">USC<\/a> \u2013 3<br \/>14. QB <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/jayden-maiava-58668\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayden Maiava<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/teams\/usc-trojans\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">USC<\/a> \u2013 2<br \/>15. LB <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/rivals\/jacob-rodriguez-52188\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jacob Rodriguez<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/sites\/red-raider-sports\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Tech<\/a> \u2013 1<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Indiana star Fernando Mendoza took over in the experts\u2019 Heisman Trophy poll last week, and nothing he did&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":297292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[399,398,396,397,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-297291","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-ncaa","10":"tag-ncaa-football","11":"tag-ncaafootball","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=297291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/297292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=297291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=297291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=297291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}