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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. 

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 show 

Date: Friday, Dec. 12 | Time: 7 p.m. 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:

AwardCategory2025 Winner
Maxwell AwardPlayer of the YearFernando Mendoza | Indiana
Walter Camp AwardPlayer of the YearFernando Mendoza | Indiana
Home Depot AwardCoach of the YearCurt Cignetti | Indiana 
Jim Thorpe AwardBest Defensive BackCaleb Downs | Ohio State 
Davey O'Brien AwardBest QuarterbackFernando Mendoza | Indiana
Rimington AwardBest CenterLogan Jones | Iowa
Lou Groza AwardBest PlacekickerTate Sandell | Oklahoma
Butkus AwardBest LinebackerJacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech
Doak Walker AwardBest Running BackJeremiyah Love | Notre Dame
Biletnikoff AwardOutstanding ReceiverMakai Lemon | USC
John Mackey AwardBest Tight EndEli Stowers | Vanderbilt
Outland TrophyBest Interior LinemanSpencer Fano | Utah
Ray Guy AwardBest PunterBrett Thorson | Georgia 
Bednarik AwardDefensive Player of the YearJacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech 
Bronko Nagurski TrophyDefensive Player of the YearJacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech 
Burlsworth TrophyTop Former Walk-OnDrew Mestemaker | North Texas
Disney Spirit AwardMost InspirationalJeremiyah Love | Notre Dame
William V. Campbell TrophyAcademic HeismanEli Stowers | Vanderbilt
Wuerffel TrophyCommunity ServiceMichael Taaffe | Texas