The Heisman Trophy award remains the most coveted of the NCAAF player awards, but the race has been a cursed one in 2025. From the quick disappointments of Arch Manning (Texas) and Cade Klubnik (Clemson) to John Mateer’s injury for Oklahoma, names have come and gone weekly at the top of the NCAAF Heisman Trophy odds.
But the latest odds show a 3-player race is developing as we head into a crucial Week 8. Let’s look at the current state of the 2025 Heisman Trophy race.
2025-26 Heisman Trophy Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | +450 |
| Carson Beck | +325 |
| Ty Simpson | +800 |
| Jeremiah Smith | +1600 |
| Julian Sayin | +1600 |
| Marcel Reed | +2200 |
| Dante Moore | +2500 |
| Gunner Stockton | +2800 |
| Jayden Maiava | +2800 |
| Haynes King | +3300 |
2025 NCAAF Heisman Trophy Players to Watch
Based on the current NCAAF Heisman Trophy odds, we have highlighted 3 of the best players to watch who have the best shot to win the award this season. We’ve included their best odds from Bovada:
- Carson Beck (+325)
- Ty Simpson (+350)
- Fernando Mendoza (+450)
It looks like a close battle at the top of the odds between 3 quarterbacks this year. Let’s start with the next one in action this Friday night in a big game against Louisville.
Miami Hurricanes’ Carson Beck (+325)
Miami quarterback Carson Beck is the slight frontrunner as he’s posting some of the best numbers of his college career with 73.4% completions, 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 168.5 passing efficiency rating for the undefeated Hurricanes.
You can certainly make the case he’s not doing as well as Cam Ward did for Miami a year ago when the Hurricanes had the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation and his numbers were better than Beck’s. Ward finished No. 4 in the 2024 Heisman Trophy race, which just goes to show how things have fallen off this year around the NCAA.
But Beck is playing efficiently behind a good line and a strong defense to help him out. He’s also not scheduled to face another ranked team the rest of the season, so Miami has a good shot to stay undefeated as long as he stays away from the turnovers that plagued him a bit at Georgia last year.
I think Beck is a fair bet right now at these odds, which are likely to get shorter if he performs well Friday against Louisville, one of the marquee games the Hurricanes have left.
Alabama Crimson Tide’s Ty Simpson (+350)
Maybe the quarterback with the most potential is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who has thrown 16 touchdowns to only 1 interception this year. He’s been efficient and consistent with large production as he averages 279.7 passing yards per game, throwing for at least 200 yards every week.
Simpson wasn’t the main problem in Alabama’s Week 1 upset loss to Florida State. The Crimson Tide haven’t lost since as they look formidable again, and Simpson already has a solid road win in Georgia where he threw for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Restoring the mystique of Alabama and navigating that tough SEC schedule could be a big argument in Simpson’s favor. We still have to see Simpson face ranked teams such as Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma. High-profile games where many voters and eyes will be watching.
Simpson is a good bet today at these odds as he gets to face Tennessee this Saturday in a game that could easily catapult him to the top of the Heisman Trophy odds should things go well. They should as the Volunteers have a poor defense.
Indiana Hoosiers’ Fernando Mendoza (+450)
Another player to really make a name for himself in this Heisman race is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers are averaging 44.8 points per game (No. 4), they’re 6-0, and Mendoza is dealing with 17 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. He averages 9.3 yards per pass and offers a little more rushing value than Beck and Simpson.
While Mendoza’s stats weren’t incredible he’s coming off a signature win: 30-20 on the road against No. 3 Oregon last week. He needed that given the fact that Indiana doesn’t face Ohio State in the Big Ten this year, and Penn State has imploded from its lofty preseason ranking.
Mendoza is playing much better than he did at California the last two years, but he is a more unproven commodity than Carson Beck, and he may struggle to keep up his statistical output the way Simpson could in Alabama. Mendoza threw 14 touchdowns in the 3 games before he threw 3 touchdowns against the tougher defenses from Oregon and Iowa.
He’s not a bad value as the third QB right now, but he’s not my favorite pick as I ultimately don’t think he’s going to win the Heisman.
What We’ve Covered and Next Steps
It’s a pivotal week to make some Heisman future prop picks as Carson Beck (Friday vs. Louisville) and Ty Simpson (Saturday vs. Tennessee) both have huge games in Week 8 that could either set them back in the Heisman odds or vault them on top of everyone.
Meanwhile, Mendoza and Indiana are hosting Michigan State (3-3) in a smaller game. But his game coming up against UCLA could be much tougher than originally thought given the Bruins’ turnaround since firing coach Deshaun Foster.
As of today, we think Simpson is the best value pick at his current odds, but Beck is a safe pick to make too if you think Miami is going to win out and finish no worse than No. 2 in the polls.
If you want to bet on these players to win the Heisman Trophy, or make bets on other NCAAF awards or players for 2025, you should register a new offshore sportsbook account and take advantage of their odds now as they could change significantly after this weekend’s games. Remember, timing is everything in sports betting.
Where to Bet on the 2025 NCAAF Heisman Trophy Odds
When you’re betting on futures markets like NCAAF awards, especially the Heisman Trophy, you’ll want to price shop and make sure you’re getting the player at the best odds possible.
For a great place to make your Heisman Trophy wagers, you should check out Bovada for competitive odds on futures and game lines.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
