- Fernando Mendoza is favored to win the Heisman with -115 odds.
- There are +200 odds for Mendoza to be drafted first overall in the NFL Draft.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Fernando Mendoza has shaken up to key odds boards coming out of Week 12 in the odds to win the Heisman as well as his odds to be drafted first overall.
Following his 22/24, 299 passing yard, and four passing touchdown outing in Week 12 against Wisconsin, college football prop betting sites now have Mendoza as the heavy favorite to win the Heisman and tied with the shortest odds to be drafted first overall.
Mendoza jumped Ohio State QB, Julian Sayin, in the Heisman odds and has tied Alabama QB, Ty Simpson, for the shortest odds to be drafted first overall.
Mendoza Jumps Sayin For Heisman
2025 Heisman Odds
- Fernando Mendoza -115
- Julian Sayin +175
- Marcel Reed +550
- Diego Pavia +2000
- Gunner Stockton +2800
- Haynes King +2800
It’s been a two man race for the Heisman over the last five weeks, with both Sayin and Mendoza going back and forth as favorites. However, after his performance in Week 12, Mendoza might have jumped Sayin with enough cushion to cash his odds.
Just three weeks ago, Mendoza was the favorite on college football sportsbooks at +250 while Sayin sat at +400. The following week, Sayin was favored at +165 while Mendoza has +235 odds. Just last week, they were knotted up at +175 odds.
Mendoza and Sayin are both top-15 on passing yards this season and top-5 in QBR. Where Mendoza has the advantage is in total touchdowns this season. He has 30 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns, compared to Julian Sayin’s 25 passing touchdowns.
Going into Week 12, Sayin was the slight favorite over Mendoza.
2026 NFL Draft Odds: 1st Overall Pick
- Fernando Mendoza +200
- Ty Simpson +200
- Rueben Bain Jr +500
- Dante Moore +600
- Arvell Reese +600
- LaNorris Sellers +1800
This is another two-man race between Mendoza and Simpson to be drafted first overall. Up to Week 12, Mendoza was the odds on favorite to be taken first overall. After his matchup in the early window, Ty Simpson took over with the shortest odds. After Mendoza finished his matchup, their odds were back to tied.
While there could still be strong arguments made as to why Mendoza should be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the biggest kicker here is going to be the competition. Yes, Mendoza has two top-25 wins this season, and Indiana is undefeated, but Simpson and the SEC schedule that he’s gone against cannot be ignored with four wins over ranked opponents.
