This year’s Heisman Trophy race is currently wide open. Several different candidates still have big matchups left on the schedule, and there’s presently no runaway favorite in the betting odds. Will a quarterback win for the seventh time in nine seasons? Will a running back win for the first time since 2015? Let’s take a look at some of the leading candidates in college football’s 2025 Heisman Trophy race.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore is the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +750. So far this season, Moore has been a model of consistency for the Ducks. He’s totaled 1,210 yards, 14 TDs, and just 1 INT through five games. Moore recently spearheaded Oregon’s overtime victory over Penn State in one of college football’s loudest environments, a Penn State whiteout. Throwing for 248 yards and 3 TDs, Moore had a Heisman-caliber day against a pass defense that was ranked inside the top 10.
Resume and strength of schedule are two metrics that could hurt Moore’s case, as Oregon is currently projected to face only two ranked opponents this season. But with a massive performance against #8 Indiana, Moore could vault himself into the consensus #1 spot in the Heisman race.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson has quickly become the talk of the QB position in college football. After sitting for three seasons at Alabama, he’s worked his way into the second-best odds for the Heisman Trophy at +1000. He’s totaled 1,138 yards, 11 TDs, and 0 INTs. In Alabama’s most recent matchup, Simpson totaled 288 total yards, 3 TDs, and zero turnovers against Georgia. He delivered Georgia its first home loss since 2019.
Alabama will face five ranked opponents in its next six games, so Simpson will have ample opportunity to make his Heisman case. Simpson will look to become Alabama’s third Heisman winner in six seasons.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza currently ranks 10th in yards per attempt and 2nd in passing touchdowns through five games. Since transferring from California, Mendoza has provided Indiana with an explosive passing attack, and his Heisman odds have risen to +1200. He’s totaled 1,208 yards, 16 TDs, and 1 INT. His biggest performance of the season came against Illinois, totaling 267 yards and 5 TDs. Illinois was ranked #9 at the time of this matchup, and Mendoza led the Indiana offense to 63 points.
Indiana is still scheduled to face #2 Oregon and #7 Penn State. The Hoosiers will travel on the road to play both games. Should Indiana emerge victorious in at least one of these games, Mendoza will most likely be sitting in New York for the Heisman ceremony.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Chambliss is the fastest riser on this list. After not playing in Ole Miss’s first two games, Chambliss has risen to +1500 in the Heisman odds after just three games as the starter. He’s racked up 1,033 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT through the air, along with 266 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. In Ole Miss’s latest game against now #13 LSU, Chambliss racked up 385 total yards and 1 TD. The Rebels scored 24 points against a LSU defense that allowed 10, 7, 10, and 10 in its first four games.
Chambliss will face two more ranked opponents throughout the rest of the 2025 season, including #12 Georgia and #5 Oklahoma. The Rebels will need to win one of those games for Chambliss to have a chance at the Heisman Trophy.
Carson Beck, QB, Miami
Beck’s Heisman odds currently check in at +1000. Due to Beck’s poor performance against Florida and Miami’s bye week last week, Beck’s Heisman hype in the media has cooled somewhat. So far in 2025, Beck has totaled 972 yards, 7 TDs, and 3 INTs through four games. His Heisman campaign started against Notre Dame, when he passed for 205 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs in week one. He’ll be looking to reignite the media hype by having a big performance against #18 Florida State.
The FSU game on Saturday is likely Beck’s last opportunity to make a nationwide statement. Miami is not projected to face a ranked opponent after its game against FSU. However, even with a subpar schedule, the starting QB on an undefeated team is always a threat for the Heisman Trophy.
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Hardy is currently college football’s best running back. Through five games, Hardy has totaled 730 yards and 9 TDs on 7.1 yards per carry. He’s college football’s leading rusher by 106 yards. The gap between Hardy and second place is equal to the gap between second place and eighth place. Hardy has reached 100+ yards in each of Missouri’s games, and he ran for 250 yards in the third game of the season. Hardy has 544 rushing yards after contact, which would be 5th in college football in total rushing yards by an individual. He’s already forced 48 missed tackles, which is roughly 10 missed tackles per game.
Hardy’s schedule will make his Heisman campaign challenging to say the least. Missouri must face four teams ranked inside the top 16, including three teams ranked inside the top 10. Given the media’s disdain for running backs and Heisman trophies, Missouri will likely need to win six of its last seven games for Hardy to have a chance.
Other Candidates
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
Mateer has totaled 1,215 yards, 6 TDs, and 3 INTs through the air, along with 190 yards and 5 TDs on the ground. His hand injury will keep him out for roughly a month, which will significantly impact his odds. However, Oklahoma closes the season with five straight ranked opponents, so Mateer will still have a chance.
Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee
Aguilar has passed for 1,459 yards, 13 TDs, and 5 INTs through five games. His coming-out party occurred when he passed for 371 yards and 4 TDs against Georgia. Aguilar still has two more opportunities against top 10 opponents, so his Heisman campaign is far from over.
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
Reed has passed for 1,076 yards, 9 TDs, and 2 INTs. While his impact on the ground has been less than anticipated, his efficiency through the air has been above expectations. Reed went on the road to South Bend and scored 41 points against Notre Dame while passing for 360 yards and 2 TDs. With three ranked opponents left, Reed will have more opportunities to make his Heisman case.
