College football’s regular season is only a few weeks away and the Heisman conversation is heating up. After Travis Hunter won the coveted college football honor in 2024, a new round of candidates are stepping forward.
As usual, quarterbacks are at the heart of the likely candidates, but as Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty proved, non-QBs can still win. That said, here are the top 10 current favorites for the 2025 Heisman (per DraftKings).
Top 10 Heisman Contenders for 2025
10. Carson Beck, Miami QB
After two seasons of starting at Georgia, Beck moved on to Miami for his final college season. He’s thrown for 7,912 yards and 58 touchdowns at UGA and is expected to be the leader of an explosive Miami offense.
Mario Cristobal’s team has a legitimate shot at the ACC and CFP, which is why Beck is on the Heisman board at 22/1 at this point in time.
9. Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB
A backup a season ago at Ohio State, Julian Sayin is being handed the reigns of the Buckeyes’ offense for 2025. Last season, he attempted just 12 passes while backing up Will Howard.
But given an elite group of weapons around him (see Jeremiah Smith below), Sayin’s high recruiting profile and elite offensive fit make a 20/1 longshot at the Heisman.
8. Ty Simpson, Alabama QB
Similarly, Ty Simpson is looking to step into the Alabama QB job after Jalen Milroe. Simpson has played sparingly in his three seasons at Alabama, throwing a total of 50 passes without a touchdown or an interception so far.
But in Kalen DeBoer’s high-profile offense, Simpson looks like a good bet for a breakout season, particularly with Ryan Williams at wideout. He’s also a 20/1 Heisman shot.
7. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina QB
LaNorris Sellers stepped up a season ago, leading South Carolina to nine wins and the brink of the CFP. Sellers passed for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for another 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. His dual-threat skills and Shane Beamer’s up-and-coming program give him a legitimate Heisman shot, with Sellers being an 18/1 pick for the Heisman.
6. DJ Lagway, Florida QB
Like Sellers, Lagway took over his program as a freshman last year and appeared to have Florida moving back in a direction of national relevance. He took over for injured Graham Mertz, and threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Lagway has one of the biggest arms in college football and is the sort of upwardly mobile Heisman hopeful who could pull off a surprise. His betting odds are currently at 18/1.
5. Drew Allar, Penn State QB
A two-year starter at Penn State, Allar put the NFL on hold for a final run at a national title. Allar has passed for 6,302 yards and 53 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 564 yards and 11 scores.
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Allar is the kind of reliable player who is historically a strong Heisman contender. It’s not a career award, but a long-term run of excellent helps, which may be why Allar is a 16/1 shot at the Heisman.
4. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR
The sole non-QB in the list, Smith exploded a season ago as a freshman. He caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. His sophomore status is about the only thing going against Smith, because he’s a defending champion and arguably the top receiver in the nation.
Smith is an 11/1 shot at the Heisman and if he were an upper-classman he might be the favorite.
3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson QB
The Clemson passer has grown into the job of running one of college football’s top offenses. Klubnik has thrown for 7,180 yards and 57 touchdowns.
Like Allar, he’s a veteran guy who has had an impressive entire career. That and Clemson’s solid shot to finish atop the ACC makes Klubnik a 19/2 Heisman candidate.
2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU QB
Garrett Nussmeier took the starting job at LSU last season and was electric. Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in his 2024 season.
There aren’t many quarterbacks nationally with that kind of production, and given LSU’s CFP hopes, Nuss has 17/2 Heisman chances ahead of the 2025 season.
1. Arch Manning, Texas QB
Arch Manning looked superb as a backup last year, throwing for 939 yards with nine touchdowns to two interceptions. Sure, he’s never been a full-time starter.
But he’s an electrifying talent who seems poised to lead Texas in a memorable season. Manning is the favorite with 13/2 Heisman odds.
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