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The Heisman Trophy is perhaps the most storied and overrated award in sports because it is essentially a popularity contest. The Heisman Trophy is given to the best player in college football, even though it never goes to linemen and has hardly ever gone to a defensive player. If the Trophy truly went to the best player in college football, Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett would have won the award for their sophomore seasons. Other defensive players who deserved the award included players like Jonathan Allen, Ndamukong Suh, Joey Bosa, and more. Instead, the Heisman is really just a popularity contest for quarterbacks.
Eleven years ago, we were correct when we predicted Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota would win the Trophy. Eight years ago, we predicted Baker Mayfield to win the Heisman, and he did, in fact, win the 2017 Heisman Trophy. Three years ago, in the preseason, we predicted USC quarterback Caleb Williams would win the Heisman, and he did. Two years ago, we selected Oregon’s Bo Nix, but he came up short to LSU’s Jayden Daniels. We had Daniels in the runner-up spot. Last year was a more difficult choice; we predicted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe would win the Heisman, and we had Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter as an Honorable Mention, but Hunter ended up winning the award.
Heisman Trophy Finalists:
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
In 2024, Klubnik completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,639 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He is a good college quarterback and could produce a huge season with the Tigers. Klubnik has good talent around him on both sides of the ball.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith took college football by storm as a freshman, and he dominated for the Buckeyes. In his debut season, Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He showed size, speed, athleticism, and natural feel in a tremendous freshman year, helping Ohio State win a National Championship. Smith could be one of the best players in college football again in 2025.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The Longhorns quarterback is one of the most hyped players in the history of the sport, and it will be fascinating to see if he can live up to the insane expectations. Manning (6-5, 243) could rise to be a top-of-the-draft prospect, but he has not played enough yet to prove that he is a high first-rounder or will be a preseason prediction to win the Heisman. Manning has a good skill set with size, arm strength, and running ability. Manning has flashed his excellent skill set in relief work for Quinn Ewers in 2024. Manning completed 68 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had two rushing touchdowns. Manning could take off as a junior and is a Heisman contender.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Sellers (6-3, 242) has a big-time skill set and could be a breakout star in 2025 after a very impressive finish to the 2024 season. In 2024, Sellers completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns. He showed a strong arm with dynamic running ability and true dual-threat talent for the NFL. If the Gamecocks play well around him, Sellers has the dynamic talent to win the Heisman.
Heisman Trophy Runner-Up:
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
I think Love will have another prolific season and continue to put up impressive statistics. The 6-foot, 210-pound Love was the engine of the Notre Dame offense as the passing attack struggled in 2024. Love did the heavy lifting for the scoring attack and helped carry the Fighting Irish through the college football playoffs and to the National Championship game. As a sophomore, Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry for 1,125 yards with 17 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 237 yards. Love has the potential to carry the Irish into the playoffs again, and he should be a top Heisman contender.
Heisman Trophy Winner:
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Nussmeier (6-2, 200) spent a few seasons as the backup to Jayden Daniels and turned himself into a legit prospect for the NFL in 2024. Nussmeier completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,403 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. There is no doubt that Nussmeier has the arm talent to be a pro starter, as he has a powerful arm that has no issue going vertically downfield. Nussmeier is getting good pro preparation from Brian Kelly, and Nussmeier has some excellent receivers to work with. I think Nussmeier could keep LSU’s recent tradition alive and win the Heisman like Daniels and Joe Burrow did in their final season with the Tigers.
Honorable Mentions:
Offense: Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Miami quarterback Carson Beck, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams.
Defense: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk, South Carolina defensive lineman Dylan Stewart, and Oregon defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei.
