Heisman Trophy odds: Should Nussmeier be in same tier as Manning, Klubnik?
Quarterbacks typically collect the Heisman Trophy, college football's most prestigious individual award. While that hasn't always been the case in recent seasons - wide receiver DeVonta Smith won in 2020 and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter won in 2024 - 20 of the last 25 Heisman recipients have been signal-callers. The last running back to win was Derrick Henry in 2015.
Let's dive into this year's race.
Heisman Trophy odds
| Player (School) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arch Manning (Texas) | +600 |
| Cade Klubnik (Clemson) | +600 |
| Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) | +900 |
| Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) | +1200 |
| Drew Allar (Penn State) | +1600 |
| LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) | +1600 |
| Ty Simpson (Alabama) | +1800 |
| Carson Beck (Miami) | +2000 |
| Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) | +2000 |
| DJ Lagway (Florida) | +2200 |
| Julian Sayin (Ohio State) | +2200 |
| Dante Moore (Oregon) | +2500 |
π Check out the complete odds on ESPN BET and theScore Bet here
Arch Manning enters his third season with Texas but his first as a full-time starter with extraordinary hype. As the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, the top recruit in the 2023 class is expected to deliver immediately with a roster ready to contend for a national championship. Arch Manning showed flashes of his athletic prowess and arm strength during meaningful snaps in big games last season. If he's as talented as evaluators suggest, he should put up monster numbers for one of the nation's best teams and likely win the Heisman.
Cade Klubnik is the co-favorite alongside Manning with Clemson projected to have one of the nation's best offenses. Klubnik is entering his fourth season at Clemson, and last year, he proved he's a top quarterback. He threw for over 3,600 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions with a 63% completion percentage. He also picked up 463 yards and seven touchdowns with his legs.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith could get himself into the Heisman conversation, though that typically requires a phenomenal statistical profile for a wideout. Hunter was a productive receiver last year, but he had fewer yards and catches than Smith; however, Hunter played both cornerback and wide receiver, and his unique skill set earned him the award.
DeVonta Smith totaled 117 receptions, 1,856 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns when he won the Heisman. Jeremiah Smith had 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He'll need an uptick in production to contend, but Ohio State's uncertain quarterback situation might present a problem: The Buckeyes are in the midst of a quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. Sayin is reportedly the front-runner to win the job, but both candidates have virtually no starting experience. Without a reliable passer, Smith's path to win the Heisman is daunting.
The last three quarterbacks to win the Heisman - Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Bryce Young - all passed for at least 3,800 yards and 40 touchdowns, with two of them eclipsing 4,000 passing yards. Based on those qualifications, one guy to stay away from is Penn State's Drew Allar.
While Allar improved as a passer last season and the team trusted him to throw the ball downfield more, he attempted fewer than 400 passes and threw for 3,327 yards. The Nittany Lions feature the best running back duo in the country in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Their reliance on the ground game hurts Allar's Heisman candidacy.
On the other hand, Garrett Nussmeier has the best opportunity to put up freakish numbers in a pass-heavy LSU offense. He attempted 525 passes last season and threw for over 4,000 yards. The senior must improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio - he tossed 29 TDs and 12 picks last season - but he has the talent and plays in the right system to secure the award.
Although it would help Nussmeier if LSU made the College Football Playoff (+110 to make/-140 to miss), the team faces a challenging schedule starting with Clemson on opening weekend - and LSU wasn't one of the nation's best teams when Daniels won the Heisman in 2023. Regardless of the team's record, conditions are ripe for Nussmeier to earn the award.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
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