As the sun sets on calendar summer, the race for college football’s greatest individual honor begins. The Heisman Trophy always demands more than production—it requires a story, a spotlight you can’t escape, and a momentum that builds with every passing game. Let’s meet the top ten names entering 2025, ranked not just by odds, but by narrative potential.
All odds from FanDuel (8/19) and subject to change. Check out the latest here.
Contenders
Garrett Nussmeier, QB — LSU
Odds: +900 — NCAA’s top returning QB, fresh off 4,052 yards and 29 TDs. In good company joining LSU’s lineage of sophomore Heisman winners like Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels.
Arch Manning, QB — Texas
Odds: +700 — The most hyped quarterback in America finally earning his stripes. Less than three full games last season resulted in 939 yards and nine TDs. He also carries dual-threat upside—a meter voters love.
Cade Klubnik, QB — Clemson
Odds: +900 — Delivered a breakout: 3,639 passing yards, 36 TDs, plus 463 rushing yards. Rebuilt Clemson’s swagger and completed the rise from “five-star hype” to bona fide contender.
Jeremiah Smith, WR — Ohio State
Odds: +1,200 — Not a QB, but spent last season torching FBS defenses—1,315 yards, 15 receiving TDs, and a monster CFP showing (381 yards, 5 TDs across the bracket). Emerging as the best offensive weapon in the sport.
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Pretenders
Dante Moore, QB — Oregon
Odds: +2,500 — Jaw-droppingly talented, but nearly a year removed from inconsistent UCLA starts. Big arm and a system tailor-made for highlight reels—if he can turn flashes into consistency.
Drew Allar, QB — Penn State
Odds: +1,800 — A blend of size, speed, arm strength, and leadership this Heisman hopeful looks to elevate the Nittany Lions in 2025
Longshots with upside
LaNorris Sellers, QB — South Carolina (+1,700)
Dual-threat brute: 3,208 total yards, 25 TDs (7 rushing). Bigger, stronger—and just starting to scratch the surface. Could be a breakout force if the Heisman mold shifts this way again.
DJ Lagway, QB — Florida (+2,000)
Talented but raw. Started midseason as a freshman—12 TDs, 9 INTs. Looks the part; performance will dictate whether he belongs in the race.
Sam Leavitt, QB — Arizona State (+2,000)
No flashy tools, but elevates with big moments. ASU’s playoff run shows the kind of gritty leadership that can shake up narratives.
Ryan Williams, WR — Alabama (+4,000)
Trailed off in 2024 but flashed early as a freshman phenom. If his consistency matches his ceiling, he has standout potential in the SEC’s spotlight.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (+1800)
Simpson may not be a household name (yet), but he has the tools to crash the Heisman conversation if Alabama gets rolling. A former five-star recruit, Simpson steps into the spotlight as the Tide look to reclaim their spot atop the SEC.
Why this watch list matters
Narrative momentum meets data — Manning’s legacy, Nussmeier’s development arc, Smith rewriting WR norms—each carries a story that transcends stats.
Transfer era vs loyalty — Notably, the top three (Nussmeier, Manning, Klubnik) stayed put, defying the transfer wave that shaped recent winners.
Fantasy angles meet analytics — We'll pair performance data with advanced metrics like EPA/play and passing efficiency as the season kicks.
Weekly outlook
Market volatility — Bettors are hedging; bookmakers keep shifting lines for Manning, Nussmeier, and Klubnik.
Watch for early statement games — Week 0 already has high-profile matchups: Texas vs. Ohio State, LSU at Clemson. These performances could define the early leaderboard.
Final word
This isn’t just a watch list—it’s the opening chapter in a season-long saga. Each name brings its own mythology, hometown expectations, or redemption arc. We’ll track them in stat boxes, film breakdowns, Heisman “bubbles,” and the emotional peaks that define a season. Coach, player, or fan—everyone will anchor their story here.
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- Penn State and Texas lead way in 2025 AP preseason all-america picks
- Colorado's Omarion Miller due for breakout season