Spring football is right around the corner, and the buzz surrounding the Heisman Trophy race is already heating up. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has emerged as the early favorite to win the prestigious award. If he succeeds, he would become the first Longhorn to claim the Heisman since Ricky Williams in 1998.
Arch Manning Opens as the Heisman Trophy Favorite
ESPN BET oddsmakers have made Manning a +700 favorite to win the Heisman, slightly ahead of LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (+800). Manning steps into the spotlight as Texas’ starting quarterback after backing up Quinn Ewers in 2024.
Will Arch Manning (+700) become the first Texas Longhorn to win the Heisman Trophy since Ricky Williams in 1998? 😤 pic.twitter.com/hS6Fjs09Wb
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) February 17, 2025
Ewers was last season’s preseason Heisman favorite but fell short. The Longhorns were eliminated by eventual champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
Manning saw limited action in 2024 but still managed to make an impact. He played in 10 games — starting twice when Ewers was injured — and accounted for 13 total touchdowns. His performances in those appearances, combined with his famous last name, have positioned him as the Heisman frontrunner heading into 2025.
Behind Manning and Nussmeier, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are tied at +1200 odds. Smith has the best odds of any non-quarterback, which is rare in Heisman history.
The last pure receiver to win the award was DeVonta Smith in 2020, though Travis Hunter won in 2024 as a two-way player for Colorado.
Texas will face a difficult schedule in 2025. The Longhorns open the season on the road against defending national champion Ohio State. They also have key matchups against Florida and Georgia, making their path to the College Football Playoff challenging.
Manning will need to perform at a high level consistently to maintain his Heisman frontrunner status.
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Despite some offensive departures, Texas remains a powerhouse. Running back Jaydon Blue is gone, but CJ Baxter is expected to step in. Texas also secured the No. 1 recruiting class for 2025, ensuring Manning has plenty of talent around him.
Winning the Heisman would be historic for Manning. Not only would he be Texas’ first winner in over two decades, but he would also become the first in his legendary family to claim the award. With the season approaching, all eyes will be on Manning to see if he can live up to the hype.
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