Deion Sanders snubs Fernando Mendoza for 36-TD as Heisman Trophy favorite amid heated race for prestigious honor

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders may have pitched his tent with quarterback Diego Pavia against Fernando Mendoza and others for this year’s Heisman Trophy award. Sanders’ endorsement of Pavia came via an Instagram story, where he shared a screenshot of his son, Deion Jr., on a video call with Pavia.

The screenshot, originally posted by Deion Jr. on his Instagram story, featured a caption that reads:

“@diego10pavia for HEISMAN.”

Deion Sanders Instagram story

Pavia is one of the top contenders for this year’s Heisman Trophy after leading the Vanderbilt Commodores to a historic 10-2 finish. The Commodores finished their regular season in style, beating rival Tennessee 45-24.

Over 12 games this fall, Pavia threw for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The New Mexico transfer also rushed for 826 yards and nine additional scores on 152 carries, establishing his dual-threat abilities.

Despite his impressive resume, Pavia has to contend for the Heisman Trophy with players with equally impressive numbers or even more impressive than his. One of the other top contenders is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten title.

The Hoosiers, who are undefeated this season, faced fellow undefeated Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game over the weekend. Mendoza threw the game-winning 17-yard touchdown pass to find Elijah Sarratt in the third quarter of the game.

The 22-year-old junior has thrown for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. However, he hasn’t been as lethal with his feet as Pavia has been for the Commodores. Mendoza only has 240 rushing yards for six touchdowns on 69 carries.

Deion Sanders’ struggles at Boulder

Deion Sanders has a less impressive output to show at Boulder this season than he did last season. While two of his most solid players last season were top Heisman contenders, with one winning it, that is not the case this year.

However, if his accuracy in calling the winner of the trophy last season is anything to go by, Pavia and Vanderbilt fans can rest assured. Diego Sanders predicted Travis Hunter would win the Heisman Trophy last season, a call he correctly made, as the two-way star took the award home.

The Buffs finished this season 3-9, with a 1-8 record in conference play, bringing memories of the program’s pre-Sanders era struggle. The coach will be looking to return the program to the competitive machine it was in 2024 by next season.