The biggest stars in college football will be honored Friday at the annual College Football Awards event, with more than 20 different trophies to hand out over the course of the evening. Among the notable awards set to be handed out are the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards, which honor college football’s player of the year.
The finalists for the Davey O’Brien Award — awarded to the nation’s top quarterback — are Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Sayin and Mendoza faced off in last weekend’s Big Ten title game, with Indiana coming out with a dramatic win over Ohio State.
Sayin and Mendoza are also finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which honors the top player in the sport. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Our Lady running back Jeremiyah Love are also up for the honor. Love is also up for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the best running back in the country.
Love will compete with Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss‘ Kewan Lacy for the trophy.
Where to watch the College Football Awards show
Date: Friday, Dec. 12 | Time: 7 pm ET
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Be sure to check back for the full list of award winners for the 2025 college football season as they are announced below:
| Award | Category | 2025 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell Award | Player of the Year | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| Walter Camp Award | Player of the Year | |
| Home Depot Award | Coach of the Year | Curt Cignetti Indiana |
| Jim Thorpe Award | Best Defensive Back | Caleb Downs | Ohio State |
| Davey O’Brien Award | Best Quarterback | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| Rimington Award | Best Center | Logan Jones | Iowa |
| Groaz Award | Best Placekicker | Tate Sandell | Oklahoma |
| Butkus Award | Best Linebacker | |
| Doak Walker Award | Best Running Back | Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame |
| Biletnikoff Award | Outstanding Receiver | Makai Lemon | USC |
| John Mackey Award | Best Tight End | Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt |
| Outland Trophy | Best Interior Lineman | Spencer Fano | Utah |
| Ray Guy Award | Best Punter | Brett Thorson | Georgia |
| Bednarik Award | Defensive Player of the Year | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy | Defensive Player of the Year | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech |
| Burlsworth Trophy | Top Former Walk-On | Drew Mestemaker | North Texas |
| Disney Spirit Award | Most Inspirational | Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame |
| William V. Campbell Trophy | Academic Heisman | Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt |
| Wuerffel Trophy | Community Service | Michael Baptism | Texas |
| Broyles Award | Top Assistant Coach |
