- Fernando Mendoza leads the way: The Indiana quarterback will likely become the first Hoosier to take home the Heisman Trophy.
- Jeremiah Smith was elite once again: After a stellar true freshman campaign, Smith was similarly great as a sophomore.
- Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Now that we’ve entered the postseason of college football, it’s time to recognize the top players from this year.
Here’s PFF’s All-Big Ten Team for the 2025 season.
Offense
- QB: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- RB: Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
- WR: Makai Lemon, USC
- WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
- TE: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
- FLEX: Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- LT: Carter Smith, Indiana
- LG: Beau Stephens, Iowa
- C: Logan Jones, Iowa
- RG: Kade Pieper, Iowa
- RT: Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Defense
- DI: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- DI: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- EDGE: Caden Curry, Ohio State
- EDGE: Derrick Moore, Michigan
- LB: Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- LB: Mason Posa, Wisconsin
- CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
- CB: Jadon Canady, Oregon
- S: Bishop Fitzgerald, USC
- S: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
- FLEX: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Special Teams
- K: David Olano, Illinois
- P: Tom Weston, Minnesota
- RS: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
- ST: Elliot Washington II, Penn State
- LS: Luke Raab, Purdue
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect 13-0 record. which included a Big Ten Championship and the first No. 1 ranking in program history. The California transfer’s 33 touchdown passes lead the FBS, while his 126.7 passer rating is second.
Mendoza saved his best for last, posting a career-high 92.3 PFF grade against top-ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. He will likely be Indiana’s first ever Heisman Trophy winner.
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Styles will likely be a first-round pick in April for how good he’s been in the middle of Ohio State’s defense. His 89.0 PFF grade is second among Power Four linebackers. Amazingly, Styles has not missed a single tackle on 86 attempts and is tied for third in the Power Four with an 87.7 PFF coverage grade.