The Heisman Trophy has turned into a quarterback award. That doesn’t mean nobody else can win.
In the last two decades, we have seen Travis Hunter WR/CB (2024), Devonta Smith WR (2020), Derrick Henry RB (2015), and Mark Ingram II RB (2009) walk away with the hardware. In each instance, the quarterback crop didn’t stand out or one of these four players was dominant. It should also be noted that three of these four winners were from Alabama, which was the dominant club of the timeline.
We moved ahead to this year, and not one player who was in the Top 10 in voting for the Heisman returns, which adds an air of uncertainty at the top-rated sportsbooks.
Granted, how the Heisman race looks before the season and what it might look like on November 1st could be very different. Nevertheless, there are players or teams with top candidates who drive the votes, except for the occasional unicorn like Hunter last year, who was a version of 1997 winner Charles Woodson, who was a defensive back with overflowing multiple talents.
NCAAF Championship Winner Odds
Quarterbacks
Arch Manning QB Texas
Another Manning enters the Heisman race, and he arguably is the most versatile athlete of the other three, more similar, at least at this point, like his grandfather Archie, as a passer and runner.
Texas lost a great deal of offensive talent, but the Longhorns look poised to reload versus rebuilding. Arch will need a quick start because three closet contenders at this position have vastly more game experience.
- Arch Manning To Win Heisman Trophy (+600)
Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
Nussmeier is a senior and has spent the last two years in the LSU offense. This gives him an edge over Manning to begin, and from an overall perspective, this might be the Tigers’ most balanced offense if the offensive line comes together quickly.
Nussmeier can make all the throws, and he’s more elusive as a runner than expected and throws the pigskin well on the run.
- Garrett Nussmeier To Win Heisman Trophy (+800)
Cade Klubnik QB Clemson
Last year was a season of growth for the Austin, TX native, developing more pocket presence as a passer and learning not to just run when trouble appeared.
Because Clemson’s not in the SEC and Big Ten, they might be a smidge underrated coming into the 2025 season, and an opening win over LSU could catapult the Tigers and Klubnik to a higher perch.
- Cade Klubnik To Win Heisman Trophy (+800)
Dante Moore QB Oregon
Off Moore’s rocky freshman season at UCLA, he has to overcome that baggage at Oregon. Chances are he will, as Oregon hit the – reload button – ready to compete with Ohio State and Penn State for conference honors. There is little reason, at this time, to doubt Moore’s maturity, and playing in an offensive-minded program will only help him and the Ducks.
- Dante Moore To Win Heisman Trophy (+1800)
Drew Allar QB Penn State
Allar is in a great spot for a huge season. Penn State was #14 in rushing a year ago, if you subtract the run-heavy academy football programs. The Nittany Lions’ run game might be even better, which opens the playbook up for Allar, who has two receiver transfers, Kyron Hudson (USC) and Trebor Pena (Syracuse) to help him. Allar, like Klubnik, can make a September statement.
- Drew Allar To Win Heisman Trophy (+2000)
Wide Receiver
Jeremiah Smith WR Ohio State
Expected to be the best receiver in college football, this sophomore would have been a first-round pick this past April if he were eligible. Smith perfectly fits the mold of an Ohio State pass catcher, with size, speed, and elusiveness. His only drawback is sharing acclaim with new QB Julian Sayin (+1200 odds), which could impede his potential.
- Jeremiah Smith To Win Heisman Trophy (+2000)
Running Back
Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame (+4000)
How college football has changed. Love pops up as the first running back for the Heisman odds at #23. From 1973 to 1985 this award was won only by running backs, with Doug Flutie (1984) the lone exception. With Notre Dame the national runner-up, breaking in a talented but inexperienced quarterback in CJ Carr, Love will be given every opportunity to carry the Irish offense to start the season. Love had 17 rushing touchdowns last season, and that was with QB Riley Leonard having 17 rushing TDs himself, which will provide Love with more chances.
- Jeremiyah Love To Win Heisman Trophy (+4000)
Others Who Could Shine (But Come Up Short)
LaNorris Sellers QB South Carolina (+1800)
Talented player who came into his own last year, Gamecocks projected win total is 7.5, which won’t be enough.
DJ Lagway QB Florida (+2000)
Same situation as Sellars with Florida’s win total even lower at 6.5.
Carson Beck QB Miami-FL (+2500)
Needs a fast start at Miami to make people forget that he wasn’t playing at a special level for Georgia in 2024, and they made little effort to bring him back.
Austin Simmons QB Mississippi (+3300)
At this point, Simmons is not as good as Jaxson Dart from last season in the shotgun for Ole Miss.
Ty Simpson QB Alabama (+3300)
Simpson will have the tools around him to succeed; however, Alabama has modestly fallen in stature since Nick Saban retired, and he won’t receive some of the – auto votes – previous Bama QBs received.
CJ Carr QB Notre Dame (+3500)
At least a year away from serious consideration.
Kevin Jennings QB SMU (+4000)
Of any player in this contingent that would move up into the contender category, it’s Jennings. Electric performer, knows how to win, plays well in big games, and is comfortable in the spotlight. SMU goes 11-1 this season, Jennings becomes a legit contender.
