Real football’s getting closer and closer, and there’s no time like the present to take a look at who’s up for the premier individual prize in college sports. Yes, it’s primarily an offensive award, but the Heisman’s cachet still resonates for those who hold the stiff-arming trophy at the end of the season.
Odds courtesy of SI Sportsbook.
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Caleb Williams, QB, USC +400
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The defending Heisman Trophy winner is trying to pull off a repeat for the first time since Archie Griffin in 1974 and ’75. USC will be in the spotlight all season. Can Williams make history?
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU, +1100
It may be a surprise to see him this high, but Daniels will have the running game and at least one dominant receiver in Malik Nabers to potentially bring home the award.
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina +900
Caleb Williams may not just face stiff competition for the No. 1 pick in next April’s NFL draft. He also may get it in his bid to Heisman-repeat with Maye hot on his heels as he leads the Tar Heels’ likely explosive offensive attack.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas, +1200
Sidelined by injury for a chunk of last season, Ewers struggled to show the promise he did against Alabama once he returned from injury a month later, but if the QB who showed up in the first half against the Tide and the bowl game against Washington comes back, look out.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington +1100
It’s still puzzling that Penix wasn’t invited to New York last year for the Heisman ceremony, but make no mistake: He should power a potent Washington attack yet again for a chance to make up for what was lost last season.
Definitely worth a flier
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson +1600
After two spot starts late in the season last year, it’s Klubnik’s show with a new offensive coordinator and optimism in Clemson that the Tigers can return to the promised land and find offensive explosiveness that has been lacking for a few seasons.
Jordan Travis, QB Florida State +1100
What a career Travis has had in Tallahassee. The Noles have a ton of hype heading into this season, and he’s one of many returning pieces that has FSU in line for a huge year.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon +1100
Nix had a career renaissance with Oregon last year and looks in line for another huge campaign despite losing offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame +1300
Hartman is a new face in a new place after transferring from Wake Forest in the offseason. His success this season will depend on whether the Irish can find high-level receivers to put around him, something they’ve lacked for years. Last year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees (now at Alabama) came under fire for an attack that was heavy on the run game. With Rees gone and Hartman in, expect to see some more fireworks through the air with a young receiver group.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia +1600
Beck’s an unknown quantity, but he may bring a different dimension to the Dawgs’ offense than Stetson Bennett’s steady hand.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan +1600
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Ask any Michigan fan, and McCarthy has them seeing not just a College Football Playoff berth, but finally a breakthrough in January. The run game in Ann Arbor will never be in question, but the dimension he adds with his legs and his arm could make Michigan’s offense especially dangerous.
Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State +1700
If McCord is the man for Ohio State, you know he’ll at least have exceptional passing targets in Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. (whom he played high school football with). The Buckeyes are never really in doubt on offense, as Ryan Day is one of the best play-callers around. Can it be more plug-and-play at the quarterback position in Columbus?
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State +1700
The wide receiver curse was broken by Devonta Smith. Could Harrison follow in his footsteps? He’s got the skill, and it may not matter who’s throwing him the ball. Harrison will put up numbers no matter what in Ohio State’s offense—he’s simply too good not to.
Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee +1700
Rocket arm in a video-game-numbers offense? Milton seems tailor-made to put up gaudy stats as he takes over for Hendon Hooker. The only questions are how his intermediate accuracy will fare and whether he can be a complete quarterback.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State +1700
It could finally be Penn State’s year in the Big Ten East, and there are huge expectations for Allar, who will take over for Sean Clifford as a different kind of QB. He’s young and largely unproven, but with a bevy of weapons around him and a good OL in front, he could be a great value if he pans out.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan +2500
We know one thing about Michigan: The Wolverines are gonna run the ball, and they’re gonna do it well. Corum may be sharing carries with Donovan Edwards—something to keep in mind—but Michigan’s workhorse back will get plenty of opportunities to punish defenses and put up the impressive numbers he had last year before getting injured.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma, +2500
The OU signal-caller had his moments, as did the entire OU offense, but the Sooners left a lot to be desired last season. If Gabriel can prove more consistent this season, he’ll be an intriguing pick.
