With the 2025 NCAAF season almost upon us, conversations have already begun about who could be crowned the Heisman Trophy winner this year.
It was Travis Hunter who picked up the award in 2024 after some terrific performances, and now there are a number of players vying for recognition for being the best player in college football, including the likes of Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier and Jeremiah Smith.
But who is the most likely to come out on top? We’ll take a look at the race for the Heisman trophy as we provide you with our best free NCAAF betting picks to earn you some extra cash, while you enjoy the action on the field.
| Heisman Trophy 2025 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arch Manning | +650 | +650 | +575 |
| Cade Klubnik | +900 | +900 | +850 |
| Garrett Nussmeier | +1000 | +850 | +830 |
| Jeremiah Smith | +1100 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Carson Beck | +1000 | +2000 | +1000 |
| LaNorris Sellers | +900 | +1600 | +900 |
Check out the best NCAAF betting sites here.
Below you’ll find a list of favorites to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy.
Part of the legendary Manning family, Arch comes into the season as the favorite for the award and with good reason.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has made it abundantly clear that the Texas Longhorns are all-in on Manning this season, and they are in a good position to have success as they will have one of the most experienced teams in college football, with nine starters returning, which will help Manning in his first full season as the starting quarterback.
Their opening game of the season will be tricky as they take on the defending champions Ohio State on the road, but if Texas pulls off the upset, you can imagine that these odds will tumble.
Manning will compete with other SEC QBs like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Florida’s DJ Lagway, but Texas is an underdog in only two games this season, giving Manning an easier path to success.
While he’s obviously a top player in the making, he’s also a media magnet because of his surname, which will add to the attention if he performs well. Manning posted a near 68% completion rate last season in his limited appearances, while rushing for two touchdowns on just 18 attempts in SEC play.
Factor in the SEC platform, national attention, and dual-threat ability, and it makes sense that he’s the favorite. At odds of +650 there is good value in it too, but you could risk his team suffering defeat on the opening day to see if his odds lengthen a little.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
If Manning isn’t as successful as many are expecting him to be this season, then Cade Klubnik has got a great chance to step up and take the crown.
There were not many quarterbacks last year who made more progress than Klubnik, as he improved in every major statistical category barring his completion percentage, which balanced out as he increaed his average yards per attempt.
He’ll also have the benefit of being alongside Clemson‘s top three receivers once again with all of Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr. and TJ Moore all returning. The team will be pushing for success once more, and Klubnik will undoubtedly be key to any joy they find.
Clemson will be opening their season with a home game against LSU which provides Klubnik with a perfect opportunity to kick off the campaign with a victory and a strong performance, which could see his odds drop off slightly – especially if Manning loses in the first game.
At odds of +900 there is terrific value here, so it’s most definitely a bet to consider.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
Nussmeier has seen his odds tumble in the weeks building up to the new season with some bookmakers, but he is still available at +1000 in some places and that makes him a very tasty pick to win the Heisman Trophy.
His first season at LSU saw him throw for more than 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, and he will be keen to follow in the footsteps of previous alumni Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels who lifted the Heisman Trophy while at LSU too.
The value is there to back him, especially since he’ll be going directly against Klubnik on the opening day, and a win would do him absolutely no harm in the eyes of the decision makers, while his odds would surely drop too.
The fact his odds are so varied across bookmakers means there is value to be had, but he also has the quality to actually deliver on the field, so this is one to consider.
Much like the NFL MVP Award, the Heisman Trophy is usually dominated by quarterbacks. But every now and then a special talent emerges in a different position, and that could be Smith this season.
Smith helped Ohio State claim the national title as a true freshman last year, and now steps into a leading role to replace Emeke Egbuka, which will make him the top target for the Buckeyes offense – meaning he will no doubt put up huge numbers this year.
His 76 catches, 15 touchdowns and 1,315 yards last year were very impressive, so improving on those will be a big statement and two of the last five Heisman Trophy awards have been won by WR’s, including last year.
If the team are able to have another top campaign then expect Smith to be the man to get the plaudits over the starting quarterback, so the +1100 odds look good.
About the Author
Daniel is a football writer who has a great thirst for the Premier League and other major European leagues. A lover of the beautiful game and a firm believer that the eye test is better than statistics. Also an avid MMA fan.
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