2025 Heisman Trophy: Top candidates to win it next season

Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter was named the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Hunter beat out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel and Miami (Fla.) QB Cam Ward for the prestigious award.

All four finalists are expected to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which means there will be a brand-new crop of finalists on the stage in New York next year.

It’s no secret the Heisman is traditionally a quarterback award, which made Hunter’s 2024 campaign even more special, as he became the first non-quarterback to win the award since 2020 and just the fifth non-quarterback to win the award in the 21st century.

So, will a quarterback take home college football’s most coveted individual award next season, or could a wide receiver be awarded the Heisman? 

Let’s take a way-too-early look at four players who ought to begin next season as betting favorites to win the Heisman.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Like Hunter, Smith was the top-ranked prospect in the nation coming out of high school and is considered by some to be the most talented player of his generation.

Just one year into his college career, Smith is already one of the best wideouts in the nation, being named a first-team All-American by USA TODAY after totaling 57 catches for 954 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns for the No. 6-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

With Emeka Egbuka heading to the NFL Draft, Smith will be the unquestioned leader in Brian Hartline’s wide receiver room and is likely to continue a tradition of turning out first-round picks at the position like Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Smith will have to trust Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to develop a quarterback, likely Julian Sayin, who can give their best weapon on the perimeter as many opportunities to make plays as he can. With good QB play, Smith will continue his assault on OSU’s receiving records and perhaps leave the school as the best wideout in program history.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Manning showed enough promise this season, particularly in relief of Quinn Ewers against UTSA and in starts against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, to lead many to believe he’ll remain the heir-apparent at quarterback for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns. 

His ability to move in the pocket and create positive plays was highlighted in his appearance against the Roadrunners, where he accounted for five total touchdowns, including two passing TDs of 50-plus yards and one 67-yard rushing score.

Manning, a former No. 1 overall recruit and five-star prospect, will have one of the best returning wide receiver corps in the sport, led by freshman phenom Ryan Wingo. He will also have one of the most creative offensive minds in the sport in Sarkisian, devising ways for Manning to beat opponents with his arm and legs.

Manning and the Longhorns will play at Ohio Stadium against Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes on Aug. 30 in what will be one of the most anticipated games of the season.

Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

Williams, who doesn’t turn 18 until February, was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team after finishing second among Tide players with 45 catches for 857 yards and eight touchdowns this season. His eight TD receptions ranked second in the SEC. 

Williams’ best game of his freshman season came on the biggest stage, against then-No. 2 Georgia. He caught six passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in Alabama’s memorable 41-34 win over the Bulldogs.

He is the best wideout the Tide have had since Jameson Williams, and he has the ability to leave Bama as its most decorated WR since DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman in 2020 while leading Alabama to its sixth national title since 2009. With Jalen Milroe expected to enter the NFL Draft, the only question is will the service at quarterback be there for Williams to show his prodigious prowess next year?

Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan

With his late flip from LSU to Michigan, there’s reason to believe Underwood will be the answer Michigan desperately needs at quarterback. He will allow the Wolverines’ offense to open up in 2025 because of the athletic ability he brings to the QB position.

Underwood and the Wolverines should also benefit from the hiring of Chip Lindsey as the team’s offensive coordinator. Lindsey’s offenses have averaged at least 30 points per game in nine out of the last 12 years. New England Patriots QB Drake Maye averaged 300.7 passing yards per game and was responsible for 33 TDs in 2023 with Lindsey calling the plays at North Carolina.

Underwood, the 2023 National Gatorade Player of the Year, passed for 3,165 yards, accounted for 47 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions as a senior at Belleville High School. If he can live up to his billing, Michigan should contend for the Big Ten title and reestablish itself as one of the premiere programs in the sport.

We’ll find out just how good he might be when the Wolverines travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to play the Sooners on Sept. 6.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him on Twitter at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.

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