Every offseason, bettors want to find the next Heisman winner. If you can find the dark horse fast enough, you can have a major payout. However, the NCAAF odds are high for a reason. So much goes into the Heisman race, and it’s harder to predict than any MVP trophy in sports. It comes down to stats, team success, competition, and a “Heisman moment.”
In recent memory, Bryce Young is the only player who was even close to being a favorite at this point in the offseason. Other winners like DeVonta Smith, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, and Derrick Henry were far from the top of the odds boards until November.
So, who could be that longshot who actually wins the Heisman this year? Here are three candidates you should keep your eyes on. They are all out of the top 5, so they have Heisman odds above +2500.
Let’s start with a Big 12 newcomer. In his first season, he could become the face of the conference.
1. Quinn Ewers (+2800)
- Quarterback, Texas Longhorns
Steve Sarkisian knows a thing or two about coaching a Heisman winner. He did that with DeVonta Smith at Alabama two years ago. Now, he’ll try to do the same thing with Quinn Ewers.
Ewers did not play last season at Ohio State, but he is still one of the biggest recruits in the history of football. He is seen as the future of the sport, so getting value like this is insane. Also, he will be the talk of the college football world if he can make Texas a relevant team again.
Texas plays Alabama at home. If the Longhorns somehow upset the Tide, Ewers will see his value skyrocket. With odds like this, you just need a path to the Heisman Trophy that makes sense. Ewers living up to the hype and upsetting Bryce Young and the Tide makes sense.
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Now, there is obviously a risk. The Longhorns did not live up to the hype last year, and Bijan Robinson will also get some votes. Also, Trevor Lawrence went three years without a Heisman. That just proves that the best player on paper doesn’t always win the award.
Still, the value is hard to ignore. You won’t see his odds this valuable at the start of next season.
2. Will Anderson Jr. (+3500)
- Edge Rusher, Alabama Crimson Tide
Picking a defensive player to win the Heisman is a risky bet, and that’s why Anderson is a longshot. However, he is the best player in college football. That should count for something.
If you had bet on a wide receiver to win the Heisman two years ago, you would’ve been seen as crazy. Regardless, DeVonta Smith won the award. Now that Bryce Young got his moment, maybe it’s time for Will Anderson to shine as well.
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Anderson will have insane stats. He’ll have to break records to win the award, but he’s capable of that. He can make plays in every game, and he is always a threat to get a sack or force a fumble.
Anderson deserved to be a finalist last year, and he’ll deserve to be a Heisman finalist this year. We’ll see if he gets the recognition, but this is a great bet on paper. Alabama has been home to the last two Heisman Trophy winners, so maybe they win a third.
3. DJ Uiagalelei (+3000)
- Quarterback, Clemson Tigers
Uiagalelei struggled last year, and I don’t love the value here. However, Clemson has an easy schedule. They should be at least 12-1 after the conference championship, and they could easily be 13-0. If Uiagalelei fixes his mistakes from last year and carries Clemson back to the College Football Playoff, he will be in the conversation.
One bad year doesn’t take away the potential for this quarterback. He was a top recruit for a reason, and Clemson knows how to evaluate quarterbacks. He had big shoes to fill last season, and he missed the mark. If he can settle in this year with another offseason under his belt, he might find a way to New York as a Heisman finalist.
There are a few quarterbacks with value around +3000, and I like Uiagalelei the most. He could be the quarterback of the top-ranked team in the country, and that alone will put him in the conversation.
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