Heisman Odds 2025: Track The Favorites

• Heisman odds are available for the 2025 college football season.
• Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Alabama QB Ty Simpson, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin and Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed are the Heisman favorites entering Week 10.
• Track the 2025 Heisman odds for the favorites and longshots throughout the 2025-26 season.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter was the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, well-deserved after starring at defensive back (11 PDs, 4 INTs) and wide receiver (1,258 yards, 15 TDs).

Who will win the Heisman Trophy in 2025? Who has the best Heisman odds? Who are the longshots in terms of Heisman odds?

Quarterbacks continue to lead the way in Heisman odds. Receiver Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) has the best Heisman odds among top non-QB contenders.

We’ll discuss all that and more, further down this page as we explore all facets of the Heisman Trophy odds and, ultimately, who the Downtown Athletic Club will announce as the 2025 winner of the Heisman Trophy — the most prestigious individual trophy in college football.

Top Heisman Contenders for 2025

The Heisman Trophy futures market is one of the most popular college football futures among casual and serious bettors.

Heisman odds reflect the likelihood of a college football player winning the Heisman Trophy, updated weekly by major sportsbooks.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza became the Heisman betting favorite on Oct. 19 and retained the top spot in the Heisman race as of Sunday morning, Oct. 26. Mendoza’s average Heisman odds are +312. Indiana has never had a Heisman winner.

Ty Simpson remained second among Heisman bettors with average odds of +336on Oct. 26.

Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, who jumped to third in the Heisman race in Week 8, remained there. He has the third-shortest Heisman odds at +377 on Oct. 26. He stayed above teammate Jeremiah Smith (+3600) in the Heisman race.

Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed continues to move up in the Heisman race. Reed now has Heisman odds of +558 after leading undefeated Texas A&M past LSU in Week 9.

Preseason Heisman favorites Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier have fallen out of the Heisman race. Oklahoma QB John Mateer was the fastest riser in September, but his hand injury has taken him out of the Heisman race. Mateer returned for the Red River Showdown vs. Texas on Oct. 11, but struggled in the loss.

Compare Heisman odds across sportsbooks for the 2025 Heisman Trophy. These Heisman odds update automatically every time they change.

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Fernando Mendoza

2025 stats entering Week 10: 148-for-203 (72.9%), 1,923 yards, 24 TDs, 3 INTs.

Fernando Mendoza reclaimed the top spot in the Heisman race after Week 8 and stayed there after accounting for 4 TDs in a big win vs. UCLA in Week 9. His average Heisman odds are +312 on Oct. 26. He leads the nation with 24 touchdown passes.

Mendoza’s average Heisman odds on Sunday, Oct. 5 were +1460. Then he outplayed Oregon’s Heisman front-runner Dante Moore in a signature victory in Week 7. On Sunday, Oct. 12, Mendoza’s Heisman odds surged to +550. He’s now third in the Heisman race.

Indiana reached the Playoff in 2024 behind transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The Hoosiers appear to have struck transfer portal gold again in Mendoza, a grad transfer from Cal, where he was a 2-year starter.

His Heisman odds skyrocketed after throwing 5 TD passes in Indiana’s rout of Illinois in Week 4. He dropped a bit in the Heisman race after Indiana struggled to put away Iowa in Week 5, but is back in the mix now.

Ty Simpson

2025 stats entering Week 10: 177-for-261 (67.8%), 2,184 yards, 20 TDs, 1 INT.

Ty Simpson’s Heisman odds soared after the Alabama quarterback led the Crimson Tide past Georgia in Week 5.

He’s been in the top 2 in the Heisman race ever since.

His Heisman odds are +336 on Oct. 26 after Simpson rallied Alabama to a critical road win at South Carolina. Simpson threw for 253 yards and had 2 TD passes without throwing an interception.

Julian Sayin

2025 stats entering Week 10: 156-for-195 (80.0), 1,872 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INTs.

Ohio State was idle in Week 9.

Julian Sayin is trying to become the first Ohio State quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy since Troy Smith won it in 2006.

His improved to third in the Heisman race following a near-perfect effort in Week 8. Sayin was 36-for-42 passing for 393 yards and 4 TDs. His average Heisman odds are now +377 on Oct. 26.

Sayin opened the 2025 season with Heisman odds as low as +1800 on BetMGM.

Sayin transferred to Ohio State in January 2024 after originally committing to Alabama. He transferred after Nick Saban retired. Sayin was a 5-star recruit and the No. 3-ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class. He was the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal.

Marcel Reed

2025 stats entering Week 10: 137-for-223 (61.7%), 1,972 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs; 349 yards rushing, 6 TDs.

Marcel Reed moved into the top 5 in the Heisman race after leading Texas A&M past Arkansas in Week 8 and stayed there after helping the Aggies blast LSU in Week 9. The Aggies are undefeated and also have favorable odds to win the national championship.

Reed’s average Heisman odds shortened from +900 on Oct. 19 to +577 on Oct. 26.

Diego Pavia

2025 stats entering Week 10: 139-for-202 (68.6%), 1,698 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs.

Diego Pavia struck the Heisman pose after leading Vanderbilt to a big win over LSU in Week 8. After leading Vanderbilt past Missouri in another top-20 showdown in Week 9, Pavia told reporters “Hell, yeah” when asked whether he should win the Heisman.

His Heisman odds shortened from +4467 on Oct. 12 to +1371 on Oct. 19 to +810 on Oct. 26. He is now fifth in the Heisman race.

Pavia’s surge in the Heisman race is the most interesting story in college football.

He already has won 14 games in 1 1/2 seasons as Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback — 2 more than the Commodores’ combined win total from 2019-2023.

Pavia is the brash-talking, play-making force behind Vanderbilt’s rise in the national championship race and the primary reason the ‘Dores have improving SEC championship odds, as well.

Gunner Stockton

2025 stats entering Week 10: 141-for-200 (70.5%), 1,553 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INTs.

Georgia was idle in Week 9.

Sportsbooks were in wait-and-see mode with Gunner Stockton, who replaced Carson Beck as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Stockton rose to as high as No. 4 in the Heisman race, but his odds fell after Georgia lost to Alabama in Week 5. He’s sixth in the Heisman race on Oct. 26 with average Heisman odds of +1300.

Jeremiyah Love

2025 stats entering Week 10: 124 carries,754 yards, 9 TDs.

Jeremiyah Love is leading Notre Dame’s Playoff push. The junior running back has surged into the Heisman race as well, with average Heisman odds of +2160 on Oct. 26.

Love has the shortest Heisman odds of any non-quarterback in the Heisman race.

Haynes King

2025 stats entering Week 10: 133-for-184 (72.3%), 1,480 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT; 651 yards rushing, 12 TDs.

Haynes King, a journeyman, multi-time transfer has surged into the Heisman race while leading Georgia Tech’s Playoff push.

His passing stats aren’t overwhelming, but the dual-threat QB has combined for 19 TDs.

His average Heisman odds are +2440 on Sunday morning, Oct. 26.

Jeremiah Smith

2025 stats entering Week 10: 49 catches, 602 yards, 7 TDs.

Ohio State was idle in Week 9.

Jeremiah Smith’s average Heisman odds on Sunday, Oct. 26 are +3600 after being +2657 on Oct. 19.

The standout wide receiver was the driving force in Ohio State’s run to the 2024-25 national championship — and he’s by far the primary reason the Buckeyes have favorable national championship odds in 2025-26.

Ohio State has a rich Heisman Trophy history, but Ohio State hasn’t produced a Heisman Trophy winner since Troy Smith in 2006. Can Jeremiah Smith win the Heisman and add to Ohio State’s Heisman total in 2025? Just like 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, Jeremiah Smith is a threat to strike a Heisman pose every time he touches the football. Ohio State will have a new starting quarterback in 2025, but as long as Jeremiah Smith gets his touches, he and Ohio State will contend for trophies.

Dante Moore

2025 stats entering Week 10: 145-for-203 (71.4%), 1,772 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs.

Dante Moore’s Heisman odds are +4400 on Oct. 26 as he continues to slide farther out of the Heisman race.

He became the Heisman betting favorite on Sept. 28 after leading Oregon past Penn State in double overtime. Moore and Oregon struggled in the 30-20 loss at Indiana in Week 7. Moore threw 2 INTs as he dropped from the top spot in the Heisman race.

Moore was a backup QB last season when the Ducks reached the College Football Playoff in 2024, but he is a key reason Oregon has favorable national title odds again in 2025.

Trinidad Chambliss

2025 stats entering Week 10: 128-for-210 (61.0%), 1,864 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT.

Trinidad Chambliss’ remarkable rise continues as he leads Ole Miss’ Playoff push. Chambliss threw for 315 yards and 1 TD as he led the Rebels past Oklahoma in Week 9.

ESPN Bet listed Chambliss’ Heisman odds at +3500 on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Arch Manning

2025 stats entering Week 10: 143-for-235 (60.9%), 1,795 yards, 15 TDs, 6 INTs.

Arch Manning led Texas’ wild comeback win at South Carolina in Week 9.

Despite the win, Manning’s Heisman odds dropped again, from +21143 on Oct. 19 to +25000 on Sunday, Oct. 26.

It’s been a wild and rocky Heisman race for Manning.

Manning was the Heisman Trophy favorite for 2025, with sportsbooks like BetMGM offering odds as low as +600.

His odds fell to +2000 on ESPNBet after he struggled in Texas’ opening loss at Ohio State. His Heisman odds improved to +1500 after he rebounded in Week 2 by throwing 4 TD passes.

He struggled again in Week 3, completing just 11-of-25 passes for 114 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. At one point, Texas fans even booed Manning and the Longhorns offense for their inadequate play vs. UTEP.

Manning’s Heisman odds subsequently dropped to +3000 as of Sunday morning, Sept. 14.

In Week 4, Manning bounced back with a solid performance vs. Sam Houston State, throwing for 3 TDs. Nevertheless, his average Heisman odds are at +3500 as of Sunday morning, Sept. 21.

Texas was idle in Week 5. Manning’s Heisman odds were at +3300 on Sept. 28.

Manning has patiently waited 2 years to take over at Texas. He could become the third Manning to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. Will Arch become the first Manning to win the Heisman?

Uncles Peyton and Eli were finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Peyton Manning was runner-up in 1997; Eli Manning finished third in 2002. Grandfather Archie Manning also finished third in 1970 and fourth in 1969.

Should bettors be concerned that Arch Manning hasn’t played a lot? Not necessarily. Remember, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman in 2012 as a redshirt freshman. The very next year, FSU quarterback Jameis Winston won the Heisman in 2013 as a redshirt freshman. In 2010, Auburn legend Cam Newton won the Heisman in his first year as a Division I college football starter.

So, in terms of Arch Manning, there is plenty of recent precedent for a quarterback without a lot of reps to step in, stand out and win the Heisman.

Best Heisman Odds for Quarterbacks

Here are the best betting odds for quarterbacks to win the Heisman in 2025, entering Week 10, via DraftKings. These odds were updated on Sunday, Oct. 26.

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Heisman Trophy Betting Strategy for 2025

The winner of the Heisman Trophy is consistently one of the top college football futures betting markets. One wonders if John Heisman, the first athletic director of the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City and namesake of the trophy, envisioned the magnitude of today’s Heisman-sports betting market back in 1935. In a betting world, the odds aren’t great on that thought.

In order to bet on who wins the Heisman Trophy, follow these simple steps:

• Register for an online sportsbook account (SDS recommends Caesars Sportsbook).
• Log into your account and make a deposit.
• Find the college football betting menu and select the “futures” option.
• Select “Heisman Trophy” and then pick a player.

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Where to Find the Best Heisman Odds Online

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Heisman Trophy 2025 News & Articles

Keep up with the latest 2025 Heisman Trophy odds by sticking with Saturday Down South‘s legendary news coverage.

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Past Heisman Trophy Winners (NCAA College Football History)

Here is a look at the past Heisman Trophy winners, dating to the 2000 season. (Interestingly, Notre Dame has produced 7 Heisman winners — tied for second all-time. But Notre Dame hasn’t produced a Heisman winner since Tim Brown in 1987. Notre Dame doesn’t have a betting favorite to win the Heisman in 2025.)

Heisman Trophy Winners by school (2000-present):  Oklahoma (4), USC (4), Alabama (3), Florida State (2), Nebraska (1), Ohio State (1), Florida (1), Baylor. (1), Oregon (1), LSU (2), Auburn (1), Texas A&M (1), Louisville (1), Colorado (1).

Heisman Trophy Winners by position: QB (19), RB (3), WR (2)

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Heisman Betting Strategy

The Heisman Trophy race is often misunderstood by the general betting public. Learning how to how bet on college football futures is critical.

The general public still views Heisman candidates in the same way that political parties view their candidates — through the lens of electability. Or, in the case of the Heisman, viability. Conventional wisdom dictates that you have to be an established player from an established and powerful program to even entertain the notion that you could be enshrined as one of the game’s greats.

The preseason Heisman Trophy odds going into the 2019 college football season offer us an important example. Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa entered the 2019 season as co-favorites to hoist the trophy at 3:1 odds. They had just played against each other in the national title game and were the faces of the two most dominant programs in the sport. To casual fans, it was a no-brainer for them to share the spotlight as preseason favorites. But to savvy veterans of the sports gambling space, the only thing noteworthy about two players separating themselves from the pack over the summer was that it inflated odds for everyone else.

To put it bluntly, the prevailing wisdom surrounding Heisman odds is wrong and that disconnect is born out in the final Heisman voting year after year. Only one preseason favorite has gone “wire-to-wire” since 2000. All it took from Marcus Mariota (9:2 preseason odds) was a near-flawless season (TD-INT Ratio 42:4) and a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff. In contrast to Mariota’s favorite-to-recipient feat, is the fact that eight of the past 10 Heisman winners weren’t considered Top 10 candidates in the preseason by oddsmakers. Joe Burrow (40:1), Kyler Murray (30:1), Lamar Jackson (100:1) and Derrick Henry (25:1) represent a new wave of Heisman profitability for sports gamblers. And after a run of one-year wonders who took home the hardware as preseason “FIELD” bets (Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston) in the early 2010s, sportsbooks finally started to post more comprehensive preseason lists. The average offering has essentially doubled from the 20-25 player range in 2010 to a 35-40 range in 2019.

Heisman longshots have proven to be incredibly profitable in the past 10 years, but their odds quickly come down to earth once the general public has seen them play. The Heisman winners over the 2015-2019 seasons saw their preseason odds fall by an average of 68% from the preseason through Week 3.

This illustrates that for a gambler to capture worthwhile value, they often need to have skin in the game before the season starts.

The start of the 2020 season offered a similar situation as our 2019 example. Neither Lawrence nor Tagovailoa were Heisman finalists in 2019, but that didn’t stop oddsmakers from setting up the 2020 preseason Heisman odds in nearly identical fashion. Lawrence was joined by Justin Fields as a co-favorite falling in the 4:1 to 9:2 range. And as we now know, of course, neither Lawrence or Fields are expected to win the trophy.

Hedging Strategies When Betting The Heisman

Hedging is when a gambler places a bet on the opposite side of their original wager in order to reduce losses or to guarantee a profit. Despite the simplicity of the tactic, casual gamblers often fail to consider hedging opportunities. For small-stakes gamblers, in-game hedging might not be worth their time, but that isn’t true of futures betting. Even small wagers can net huge returns and are worthy of thoughtful hedge strategies.

Season-long futures for individual players and teams present a host of hedge opportunities, some clear and others more convoluted. As shown above, pundits and the public are awful at predicting who will end up as a Heisman finalist. In fact, four of the five Heisman Trophy presentations between 2015-2019 have included at least 1 finalist who entered the season as a 100:1 longshot or higher. Simply having a finalist with long odds can guarantee you money by properly hedging is a game-changer for most casual bettors.

If you were fortunate enough to place a bet on Joe Burrow before Week 3 of the 2019 season, you had a ticket paying out between 40:1 and 200:1 on the Bayou Bengal. Even if you had waited until the end of the regular season to hedge, the 3 other eventual finalists all presented decent value and insurance with Fields (6:1), Jalen Hurts (17:1), Chase Young (100:1) all offering handsome payouts.

While it appeared that Burrow was a “lock” by Week 13 during the 2019 season, this same hedge strategy would have saved Tagovailoa bettors the year prior. The Crimson Tide signal-caller was listed as a -900 favorite during Week 13 but would be overtaken by Kyler Murray just two weeks later. If you had spread out your risk by betting the likely finalists in Week 13 (Murray+600, Dwayne Haskins+6000, Will Grier+1100) you would have turned a gambling heartbreak into a decent payday.

If you are making preseason Heisman bets, targeting longshots with the potential to become finalists instead of winners is one way that you can turn an all-or-nothing proposition into a less volatile and more profitable long-term strategy. This brings into play running backs, wide receivers and defensive players that you might not have considered at all in previous seasons.

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Heisman Odds 2025 FAQ

Who was the Heisman Trophy betting favorite for the 2024 college football season?

Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter was the betting favorite and won the Heisman Trophy.

Who will win the Heisman Trophy for the 2025 college football season?

It's too soon to tell, but Texas QB Arch Manning, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith will all be mentioned in the conversation.

Which players has won the most Heisman Trophies all time?

Ohio State running back Archie Griffin has won the most Heisman Trophies (2), as he remains the only player to win the award more than once (1974 and 1975)

Which school has won the most Heisman Trophies?

Three teams feature players to win the award on seven occasions: Ohio State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame. Ohio State has yielded just six players to win the Heisman, however, as running back Archie Griffin remains the only man to win the award more than once. USC is next on the list with six Heismans, while Alabama has four, and six schools round out the top 11 with three Heisman Trophy winners (Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Navy and Nebraska).