From Freshmen to Legends: The Future of College Football Stars Unveiled
The 2025 college football season kicks off a major shift as it welcomes a fresh crop of talent. With the top 10 Heisman vote-getters from 2024 heading off to the NFL, new faces are ready to take over the college gridiron. This change not only reshapes team dynamics (think new strategies and roles) but also gets us all excited for some intense matchups among the next generation of stars chasing the famed Heisman Trophy.
Up-and-coming Heisman hopefuls
Looking at potential Heisman picks, a few names really stand out. Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier are at the forefront of this new wave. Their performances have already caught national attention, with both quarterbacks sporting eye-popping stats and odds of +800 each for the trophy.
Besides these well-known players, underclassmen like Jeremiah Smith, Bryce Underwood, and Ryan Williams are beginning to leave their mark. These young talents bring fresh energy and playmaking skills to their teams, setting the stage for some surprises down the road. And don’t overlook voluntary returners such as Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, and Carson Beck—their experience adds an extra layer of depth as their teams gear up for a standout season.
Heisman prospects by team
Every team in the top 25 is looking to shine with standout players aiming for Heisman honors. For instance, at Ohio State, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is turning heads with +1200 odds after an impressive College Football Playoff performance, where he racked up 381 yards and five touchdowns in one game. Over in Texas, quarterback Arch Manning has shown his promise by throwing for 583 yards and four touchdowns in just two starts.
At Penn State, quarterback Drew Allar has stepped up his game, lifting his yards per attempt from 6.8 to 8.4 (helped by the addition of receiver Trebor Pena from Syracuse). And over at Clemson, quarterback Cade Klubnik was on fire against Texas, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns, earning him +900 odds.
Other schools are also making noise with talents like Georgia’s linebacker CJ Allen, Oregon’s running back Makhi Hughes, Notre Dame’s running back Jeremiyah Love, LSU’s quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Alabama’s wide receiver Ryan Williams, Florida’s quarterback DJ Lagway, Miami’s Carson Beck, Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Kansas State’s Avery Johnson, BYU’s LJ Martin, TCU’s Josh Hoover, Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht, Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Louisville’s Isaac Brown, SMU’s Kevin Jennings, and Auburn’s Cam Coleman (each one bringing unique skills to the table).
Trends and historical insights
The betting odds this year are showing some interesting patterns in the Heisman race. Quarterbacks are taking center stage, with 16 out of the top 25 contenders playing the position—a nod to recent seasons where quarterbacks have snapped up seven out of nine awards. Even with this strong showing, there are always surprises, like Travis Hunter from Colorado, who has managed to turn heads in past seasons (defying expectations in unexpected ways).
FanDuel Sportsbook is laying out these player odds as fans get ready to see which athlete will break away from the pack this season.
Fans are really buzzing about this season as they watch eagerly to see who will rise to the top amid some fierce competition. With last year’s stars moving on, the spotlight is now on the newcomers ready to light up one of the most celebrated stages in sports—each season keeps us guessing, and the hunt for the Heisman Trophy always makes for an exciting ride across the nation.