Starting this September, college football fans will be able to vote for the Heisman Trophy for the first time through a dedicated online platform, hopefuls.heisman.com.
A data‑driven approach to fan voting
The site, launched in partnership with the Heisman Trophy Trust and supported by analytics groups such as Carnegie Mellon’s Sports Analytics Center, will provide official player statistics and updated ratings from the EA Sports College Football video game.
Votes can be submitted every day beginning September 9, and the results will be broadcast live on ESPN during the conference championship games, marking a shift from the traditional voter pool of journalists, coaches and former winners.
Jeff Price, chief executive of the Heisman Trophy Trust, said the initiative responds to fan demand for more engagement and richer data, noting that the new system will incorporate advanced analytics to shape each ballot.
Ron Yurko of the Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Center explained that each week’s votes will be weighted by a data‑driven methodology that reflects real‑time performance trends throughout the season.
The first official Heisman ballot will be determined by the top three players ranked by fan votes, ensuring that the early stages of the competition highlight the most popular contenders.
The Heisman Trophy has been awarded annually since 1935, and the 2025 edition will be the 89th presentation of the award, ultimately going to Fernando Mendoza, an Indiana quarterback, after the vote count is finalized.
By blending fan input with performance metrics, the new process aims to deepen audience involvement while preserving the award’s tradition of honoring the most outstanding player in college football.