Heisman heat index: Contenders, pretenders, odds before 2025 college football season
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 tp elevate the Nittany Lions in 2025
Scott Kinser/USA TODAY NETWORK
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.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
Sporting News 2025 college football Preseason All-America team
Ranking top transfer quarterbacks for 2025, including Carson Beck, John Mateer, Joey Aguilar
Penn State and Texas lead way in 2025 AP preseason all-america picks
Colorado's Omarion Miller due for breakout season
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