The 2025 Heisman Trophy race is ready to roll. A host of outstanding college football stars are ready to start assembling stats, honors and highlights. But only one of them will succeed Travis Hunter as the winner of the much-prized Heisman Trophy. Here’s a rundown on the top 10 odds favorite per DraftKings for the upcoming Heisman Trophy race.
Top 10 Players Leading in the 2025 Heisman Trophy Odds
Alabama QB Ty Simpson (20-1)
Simpson seems to be the heir apparent to the Alabama QB job, which immediately makes him a Heisman contender. The junior has thrown just 50 passes in his three seasons with the Alabama program. Few players who have yet to throw a college TD pass could get odds as solid as Simpson.
Florida QB DJ Lagway (20-1)
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The sophomore Florida QB with the huge arm could be a good longshot call on the Heisman. Lagway took over part-time last year and passed for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns after an injury to Graham Mertz. If Billy Napier’s team improves in 2025, this could be a good pick.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers (18-1)
Another sophomore QB on the upswing, Sellers is a great dual-threat guy. He passed for 2,534 yards and 18 scores and ran for another 674 yards and seven scores. Shane Beamer’s Gamecock team could make this a viable pick.
Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt (18-1)
Sam Leavitt had a breakthrough season as a redshirt frosh at ASU last year after transferring over from Michigan State. Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 24 scores in leading the Sun Devils to the CFP. He has a bright future in a wide-open Big 12 conference.
Miami QB Carson Beck (18-1)
After starting for two seasons at Georgia, Beck chose to move on to Miami in the offseason. He struggled in 2024, seeing his completion percentage drop by over seven per cent and his interception total double. But he’s still a player with 7,912 college passing yards and 58 touchdowns. In Mario Cristobal’s offense, he could be explosive in 2025.
Penn State QB Drew Allar (16-1)
PSU opens the season ranked in the top three in both major polls, and the veteran leadership of Allar is a significant part of that situation. Allar threw for 3,327 yards and 24 scores last season. He’s a competent runner as well, but Allar’s passing game will be the key to the Nittany Lion season. Allar’s a legit Heisman frontrunner.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (11-1)
Smith comes off a brilliant season and is the best receiver in the country. He snagged 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman. The idea that he could be even better is frankly mind-blowing. Ohio State is the defending champion, and Smith might be the nation’s best player. That’s a great Heisman start.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (19-2)
Klubnik’s Heisman candidacy has been based around the long game. Clemson struggled at QB and turned to Klubnik in his sophomore season. He was so-so then, but took off with a brilliant junior season. Klubnik passed for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, and he rushed for another 463 yards and seven touchdowns. With Clemson as a likely ACC favorite, Klubnik is a solid Heisman pick.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (17-2)
Like Klubnik, Nussmeier bided his time through three seasons of uneven playing time at LSU. Then he took off in 2024, passing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns for Brian Kelly’s squad. With the Tigers seeking a CFP spot this season, Nussmeier’s Heisman stock remains strong entering the season. Another big statistical season for Nuss and a CFP bid for the Tigers could net him a Heisman.
Texas QB Arch Manning (13-2)
Few players could be a Heisman favorite with two career starts, but here it is for Manning. Texas has groomed him behind Quinn Ewers, and in his early snaps, Manning has looked brilliant. He has 969 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks in 95 college passes. Manning might be something of a question mark, but he is likely to be an exclamation mark as the season progresses.
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