Mendoza, Reed and Sayin Named Davey O’Brien Award Finalists

FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 25, 2025) – After tabulating the results of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee’s ballots and adding bonus ballots applied through the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote, the three first-time finalists for the National Quarterback Award are Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin.

The trio of quarterbacks pilot the nation’s only three undefeated teams and the top three schools in the latest rankings. Mendoza, Reed and Sayin have combined to earn the Davey O’Brien Award’s weekly Great 8 honors a total of 10 times this year.

Mendoza, a junior, is tied for first nationally in passing touchdowns with 30. Additionally, he is second in points responsible for (210) and passing efficiency (184.8), third in completion percentage (.730) and fourth in QBR (88.8). Overall, he is 203-for-278 for 2,641 yards and 30 touchdowns against five interceptions. The Hoosiers own an 11-0 record and are listed second in the national rankings. Indiana has never had a Davey O’Brien Award winner in program history.

Reed ranks among the nation’s top 10 in yards per completion (4th, 14.56), passing touchdowns (T-8th, 25), points responsible for (T-9th, 186), QBR (14th, 79.2), passing efficiency (16th, 159.0) and total offense (18th, 286.1). The sophomore has thrown for 2,752 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 395 yards and six scores to lead the Aggies to an 11-0 record and a No. 3 ranking. Texas A&M’s lone previous Davey O’Brien Award recipient was Johnny Manziel in 2012.

Sayin currently leads the nation in both passing efficiency (185.4) and completion percentage (.794). In addition, he ranks second in QBR (90.3) and fourth in touchdown passes (27). For the year, the sophomore is 239-for-301 through the air for 2,832 yards with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Buckeyes are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation with an 11-0 record. Ohio State has one previous Davey O’Brien Award winner, Troy Smith in 2006.

The 2025 Davey O’Brien winner will again be chosen based on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the third and final round of the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote. 

For the sixth straight year, the Fan Vote takes place on the award’s three social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X)—and the top vote getter on each platform will receive bonus committee member ballots, which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.

To participate in the Fan Vote, fans must like the original Davey O’Brien Award post highlighting their quarterback and follow (@daveyobrien). The winner will be announced live on Friday, Dec. 12, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.

In 1938, O’Brien, who was a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.  

The 49th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

2025 Davey O’Brien Award Finalists

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Jr., 6-5, 225, Miami, Fla.

Marcel Reed, Texas A&M, So., 6-1, 185, Nashville, Tenn.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State, So., 6-1, 208, Carlsbad, Ala.