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:
| Award | Category | 2025 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell Award | Player of the Year | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| Walter Camp Award | Player of the Year | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana |
| 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 |
| Lou Groza Award | Best Placekicker | Tate Sandell | Oklahoma |
| Butkus Award | Best Linebacker | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech |
| 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 Taaffe | Texas |
