The Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates Heading Into the 2025 NCAA Football Season

Let’s look at the Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates Heading Into the 2025 NCAA Football Season. Although QBs usually end up winning the Heisman Trophy, that is not always the case. Last 2024 NCAA Football season, we saw Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter win the prestigious award. It was the first time that a non-QB had won the Heisman since 2020 when Alabama WR DeVonta Smith took home the prestigious award. Smith helped the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX in February.

So who are the favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy and be at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City? Here, we will look at the top five candidates on the odds board for the coming season. We will analyze who might be the best pick five months out from the season kickoff on August 23. For the full 2025 Heisman Trophy odds, you can see them at the online sportsbook FanDuel.

The Top Five Heisman Trophy Odds Candidates

1—Garrett Nussmeier (8/1)

The oddsmakers current co-favorite to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (6-2, 200) stepped in as the Tigers signal caller last year after 2023 Heisman Trophy winnerJayden Daniels was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the NFL. Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards and 28 touchdowns in his junior year in Baton Rouge and hopes to lead LSU to the 2025 College Football Playoffs.

2—Arch Manning (8/1)

Texas QB Arch Manning has football in his blood as the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning and the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. With Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers headed to the NFL, Manning will take over in Austin this season and he did get his fair share of playing time last season, throwing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns as Texas made it to the College Football Playoff where it lost to Ohio State in the Semifinals in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

3—Cade Klubnik (10/1)

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik had a very impressive 2024 season for the Tigers. The 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pounder threw for 3,639 passing yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading Clemson to the 2024 College Football Playoff, where it lost to Texas in the First Round, 36-24. Senior Klubnik (78.7 QBR) and the Tigers will look to get back to the CFP again this season. And with wide receivers Antonio Williams (75 receptions, 904 yards, 11 TD, 12.1 ypc), Bryant Wesco, and TJ Moore all returning to Death Valley, Klubnik will have many targets.

5—Jeremiah Smith (12/1)

Defending national champions Ohio State always seem to have great WRs, and with Emeka Egbuka heading to the NFL, expect Jeremiah Smith (12/1) to continue to impress in Columbus. Last season, Smith (6-3, 215) finished with 1,315 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and a 17.3 yards-per-catch average as Ohio State defeated Notre Dame to win the 2024 College Football National Championship. The Buckeyes are the favorites to repeat this season at 6/1 odds.

5—Dante Moore (13/1)

Dillon Gabriel is headed to the NFL, so Dante Moore (13/1) will take over at QB for Oregon this season. The Ducks lost to eventual champions Ohio State in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl last season in the team’s first season playing in the Big Ten Conference. Moore (6-3, 210) transferred to Eugene in 2024 after playing his freshman year for UCLA.

Final Thoughts and Heisman Trophy Pick

Manning will have the name recognition and high expectations at Texas, while Nussmeier will no doubt put up some gaudy numbers for LSU. But expect Klubnik to outshine them both, win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, and end up being the first QB taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. Smith is a great dark horse here and another guy who has the eye of NFL scouts, but it’s hard to see a WR winning this award for two straight seasons. So who do you like to win the Heisman Trophy this coming 2025 NCAA Football season?

Final Pick

Cade Klubnik 10/1