The Heisman Trophy is the most famous award in college football, and the 2025 race is already heating up before Week 1 begins. Arch Manning enters the year as the favorite, with Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier, and Jeremiah Smith close behind on the odds board. Bettors and bookies will be watching every big game to see who can build their case early. This year’s field is loaded with quarterbacks and a few skill players who could break through like Travis Hunter did last season.
Heisman betting is one of the most popular markets for college football fans and sportsbooks alike. It combines performance, media storylines, and team success into one award that can shift dramatically in just a few weeks. If you are looking to take action or start your own bookmaking business, WagerHome gives you the best Pay Per Head tools to manage futures like the Heisman odds with ease.
Arch Manning Preview – The Favorite at Texas
Arch Manning is +600 to win the Heisman and starts the year with the most attention. The Texas quarterback has the name, the talent, and the system to put up huge numbers. Steve Sarkisian’s offense is built to showcase quarterbacks, and Manning will have plenty of opportunities to impress.
The biggest concern is experience. Manning has just 95 career pass attempts and two starts, making him a statistical outlier compared to past winners. A slow start in September, especially against Ohio State in Week 1, could quickly sink his chances. Only one preseason favorite has won the Heisman in the last 16 years, so the pressure is high.
If Manning finds rhythm early and Texas keeps winning, the path is clear. The media story of a Manning finally winning the Heisman would be hard to beat. Still, from a betting perspective, the price may not offer much value at this stage.
Cade Klubnik Preview – Clemson’s Senior Leader
Cade Klubnik sits at +900 and is one of the most established quarterbacks in the race. Last season, he threw for 3,639 yards, 43 total touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. With Clemson expected to win double-digit games again, he already has the numbers base voters want.
His dual-threat ability adds to his case, as rushing yards and big-play highlights often catch voters’ attention. Clemson opens the season against LSU, giving Klubnik an early chance to build his Heisman résumé. If he leads the Tigers to a strong start, his odds could shorten quickly.
The comparison point is Jayden Daniels’ 2023 Heisman run. Klubnik may not hit Burrow-level production, but Daniels showed that huge numbers on a playoff-caliber team can win the award. Klubnik fits that mold perfectly.
Garrett Nussmeier Preview – LSU’s New Star
Garrett Nussmeier is also listed at +900 and hopes to follow Jayden Daniels’ path from LSU to Heisman fame. Nussmeier has the arm and weapons to put up video game numbers in Brian Kelly’s offense. LSU’s schedule, however, is one of the toughest in the country with multiple SEC showdowns.
Last year, Nussmeier produced over 4,000 passing yards with 32 total touchdowns. If he improves on those stats, he will be in the mix regardless of LSU’s playoff fate. Recent history shows that winning the award does not require making the College Football Playoff, as Daniels proved in 2023.
Nussmeier’s chances may come down to consistency. The SEC defenses he faces will test him weekly, but if he thrives under pressure, he has a clear path to New York in December.
Jeremiah Smith Preview – The Wide Receiver to Watch
Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State enters the year at +1200 and is the highest-rated non-quarterback in the Heisman race. As a true freshman, he set records with 76 catches, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns. He also had a dominant Rose Bowl performance with 187 yards and two touchdowns, proving he shines on the biggest stage.
Wide receivers rarely win the Heisman, but recent history shows it is possible. DeVonta Smith won in 2020, and Travis Hunter broke through last year as a two-way player. Jeremiah Smith has the talent and the spotlight to join that short list.
Much will depend on new quarterback Julian Sayin’s ability to get him the ball. If Ohio State wins big games and Smith continues to dominate secondaries, he has a chance to make history as the first Buckeye receiver to win the award.
Other Contenders to Track
Several players outside the top four have realistic chances. Carson Beck, now at Miami, sits at +1800 and fits the trend of transfer quarterbacks thriving in new systems. LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina (+1800) brings a dual-threat skill set that could rack up highlights. Penn State’s Drew Allar (+1800) is another name worth noting if the Nittany Lions make a playoff run.
Further down the board, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (+2800) could be the one to finally bring the Heisman back to his position. He ran for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last year and added production as a pass-catcher. Running backs have been overlooked lately, but Love has the workload and stage to compete.
PPH Betting Prediction
The 2025 Heisman race looks wide open despite Arch Manning entering as the favorite. Betting history shows that preseason favorites often struggle to deliver, and Manning’s limited experience makes his +600 line hard to back for value. The better plays are further down the board, where production, schedule, and narrative align more favorably.
The best pick is Jeremiah Smith at +1200. His record-breaking freshman season, paired with Ohio State’s high-powered offense and national spotlight, gives him a real shot to break the quarterback trend again. Klubnik is another strong candidate if Clemson dominates the ACC, but Smith’s upside is too good to ignore. For bookies running action on futures markets like this, WagerHome provides the best platform to manage bets and grow profits during the college football season.
Pick: Jeremiah Smith +1200
