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2025-26 Heisman Trophy Predictions with Betting Odds

by Mike Allen - 8/14/2025

Heisman Trophy predictions Jeremiah Smith Ohio State Buckeyes

There isn't a more iconic award given out in the game of football at any level than the coveted, prestigious Heisman Trophy. The NFL is extremely popular. Worldwide fandom and love for the game grow with every spectacular season. However, the league has not and will never match the essence of the Heisman.

Last season, two-way superathlete Travis Hunter claimed the prize in New York. The Colorado Buffalo took over 500 first-place votes, while Boise State's 2,600-yard rusher, Ashton Jeanty, had more than 200.

This year, some of the betting favorites to win the Heisman are senior quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier of LSU and Clemson Tiger Cade Klubnik. These two dominators of their respective Death Valleys face off before the end of this month on the 30th. Other major programs, like Penn State Nittany Lions, led by senior QB and Heisman hopeful Drew Allar, will take the first few weeks to warm up.

Former Georgia Bulldog Carson Beck eventually faltered and was outplayed by his backup down in Athens. Instead of sticking around, he’s taken his talents to South Beach. Beck is yet another senior QB betting favorite for the Heisman.

The young man perched atop the betting board, however, is only a redshirt sophomore. Arch Manning, the nephew of Eli and Peyton, has everything it takes to win the Heisman Trophy, lead the Texas Longhorns to a National Title, and patiently wait for his name to be called first in the 2026 NFL Draft.

I personally have my eye on a non-QB as my betting favorite. It will be difficult for any of these quarterbacks to outshine the rest of the pack. There’s an athlete at wide receiver playing in Columbus at The Ohio State University by the name of Jeremiah Smith, and he could go down as one of the best to ever play his position at the NCAA level.

Let’s scroll down the odds to win the Heisman Trophy and lock in a few best bets to win the award.

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Betting Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Arch Manning: +600

Garrett Nussmeier: +900

Cade Klubnik: +900

Jeremiah Smith: +1000

LaNorris Sellers: +1600

Ty Simpson: +1700

Carson Beck: +1800

Drew Allar: +1800

DJ Lagway: +1800

Julian Sayin: +2000

Gunner Stockton: +2200

Dante Moore: +2500

Jackson Arnold: +2500

John Mateer: +3000

Austin Simmons: +3000

Nico Ilamaleava: +7000

Best Bets to Win the Heisman Trophy

Arch Manning: +600

Arch could truly be Manning 4.0. Named after Grandpa Archie, who started it all, the Bayou-born gunslinger has waited patiently in Austin for his time. Of course, the kid was good enough to start at just about any program in the country, but he impassively played behind the strong arm of Quinn Ewers for the majority of 2024.

When he did get his chance to play, it didn't come against formidable competition. So, it's hard to say the Horns were a better team with him as a starter. His performance against the Mississippi State Bulldogs was exceptional, when Manning threw for 324 yards on 26/31 attempts with two touchdowns and zero picks.

String several of those together, and the family may have their first Heisman Trophy winner!

Jeremiah Smith: +1000

At 10-1, the cousin of NFL starter Geno, Smith is a burner but built more like a mature Julio Jones. Clocking in at 23+ MPH with a vertical of 1 meter, the 6'3" 220+ pounder is already a monster at just 19 years old!

That said, we aren't trying to sell him as a #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He needs to outperform and outshine all those senior quarterbacks we've mentioned and more. We don't know yet how he will gel with incoming Buckeye starting QB Julian Sayin, who is just six spots down the list of favorites to win the Heisman himself at 20-1.

Even though the Buckeyes appeared unbeatable by the end of last season, QB Ryan Howard was never considered to be one of the best at his position.

Watch out for Smith in 2025. This young man is a highlight waiting to happen.

Nico Iamaleava: +7000

Lastly, I am throwing in a long-shot bet for you guys. At +7000 or 70-1, Nico Iamaleava could put up such monstrous statistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, that many Heisman Trophy voters can't deny him.

The 6'6" signal caller from the state of Hawaii started in Knoxville last year with a strong team behind him, but ended the season with an unsure future as a Volunteer due to his mixed results. My argument against that is straightforward. He was a freshman!

Still, 19 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions in the SEC is impressive. Now give the two-meter monster with legs as strong as his arm a chance at the pitiful, pathetic Pac-12 passing defenses and watch the numbers skyrocket.

Haters will point directly to this fact, but at these odds, Iamaleava for Heisman is a ticket you want in your hand come mid-December. 

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