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Heisman Odds 2025: Favorites, Predictions & the +4000 Longshot Worth Betting
By Brady Trettenero in College Football
Updated: August 15, 2025 at 2:03 am EDTPublished:
- Arch Manning enters the CFB season as the +650 Heisman favorite ahead of LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier
- Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is the best non-QB bet at +1100 after a record-breaking freshman season
- Read below for 2025 Heisman odds, favorites, predictions and a +4000 longshot to bet
The Heisman Trophy race officially begins Saturday, August 23, with Week 0 kicking off the 2025 college football season. Arch Manning has taken over as the betting favorite, but smart money should be looking elsewhere.
Manning sits at +650 despite throwing just 939 yards last season. Meanwhile, proven performers like Jeremiah Smith and Cade Klubnik offer better value based on actual production. Manning opened at +800 in the winter, but his odds have shortened as the hype continues to grow.
Here are the 2025 Heisman odds, along with our predictions and a spicy top longshot bet.
2025 Heisman Odds
*Odds as of August 14 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Place a preseason Heisman wager with the DraftKings promo code.
Quarterbacks dominate the board with 17 of the top 20 candidates. Only three non-QBs crack the list: Smith at +1100, Alabama receiver Ryan Williams at +3500, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at +4000.
The award ceremony is scheduled for December 7, with voting closing after conference championship games.
Heisman Trophy Favorites
Manning’s +650 price reflects his famous bloodline more than proven production. His uncles Peyton and Eli never won the Heisman, and grandfather Archie’s best finish was third. The redshirt freshman completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks in limited action.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier sits second at +850 after throwing for 3,755 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He returns as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC but faces a brutal schedule that includes Alabama, Ole Miss, and Florida on the road.
That’s four ranked road games in SEC play alone. Nussmeier also opens the season against Clemson’s elite defense. Heisman winners typically avoid multiple losses, and navigating that gauntlet without stumbling looks nearly impossible.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik rounds out the top three at +950. The senior threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns last year while adding seven rushing scores. He returns 83% of his offensive production, including every reception and receiving touchdown from 2024.
Early money has moved toward Manning since he won the starting job. Proven performers like Klubnik have seen their odds lengthen despite stellar 2024 campaigns. That creates value for bettors willing to back experience over hype.
2025 Heisman Trophy Prediction
Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football and should win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. The Ohio State sophomore shattered every major FBS freshman receiving record with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch, showing game-breaking ability every time he touched the ball.
Smith dominated when it mattered most. He torched Oregon for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl, earning Offensive MVP honors. Against Tennessee in the playoff, he had 103 yards and two scores. In the national championship win over Notre Dame, he delivered with 88 yards and a touchdown.
ESPN’s Joel Klatt called Smith “the best wide receiver I’ve seen in college football since I’ve been covering the sport.” Paul Finebaum declared him “without a doubt the best player in the game” entering 2025. When respected analysts make those statements about a sophomore, you listen.
Smith’s path to the Heisman gets easier with Ohio State losing several offensive stars. Starting quarterback Will Howard, star receiver Emeka Egbuka, and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins all departed. Smith becomes the clear focal point of the offense with increased target share coming his way.
That’s over 7,400 yards of total offense walking out the door. Smith and Carnell Tate are the only proven receivers returning, meaning Smith should see a massive uptick in targets.
At 6’3″ and 223 pounds, Smith added muscle while maintaining his speed. Reports from Columbus say he’s actually faster than last year. He can bench 225 pounds 20 times, squats 550 pounds, and posts a 38-inch vertical. The physical tools match the production.
DeVonta Smith proved that receivers can win the Heisman in 2020 with 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. Jeremiah’s on pace to match or exceed those numbers with his expanded role. At +1100, he offers tremendous value for the best player in the sport.
- 2025 Heisman Winner Prediction: Jeremiah Smith (+1100)
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Top 2025 Heisman Quarterback Bet
Cade Klubnik at +950 is the smartest quarterback play on the board. The Clemson senior has everything Manning lacks: experience, proven production, and an easier path to big numbers.
Klubnik posted 43 total touchdowns last season (36 passing, 7 rushing), tying for second-most in Clemson history. His 36-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio shows elite decision-making. He completed 63.4% of his passes at 7.5 yards per attempt while leading the Tigers to the ACC championship.
The continuity factor can’t be overstated. Clemson returns 77.9% of their total production and 83% of their offensive production – the highest rates in college football. Antonio Williams (75 catches, 904 yards, 11 TDs), Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore all return. This isn’t a quarterback breaking in new receivers; it’s a proven system entering year four together.
Manning faces the SEC gauntlet with games against Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Arkansas. Klubnik plays in the ACC with just three ranked teams on the preseason schedule. The easier conference slate means more opportunities for video game numbers that Heisman voters love.
Experience matters in Heisman races. Klubnik is entering his third full year as a starter with 486 pass attempts last season alone. Manning has 59 career attempts. When you can get a proven, battle-tested quarterback at better odds than an unproven freshman, you take the value every time.
- 2025 Heisman Quarterback Best Bet: Cade Klubnik (+950)
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Heisman Trophy Longshots
Jeremiyah Love at +4000 is the best Heisman longshot play on the entire board. The Notre Dame running back averaged an elite 6.9 yards per carry last season, rushing for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on just 163 attempts.
Love scored a rushing touchdown in each of Notre Dame’s first 13 games, setting a program record. He ripped off a 98-yard touchdown against Indiana in the playoffs and had nine scores of 20-plus yards. That’s the explosive, highlight-reel production Heisman voters remember.
The opportunity increases dramatically in 2025. Quarterback Riley Leonard’s 906 rushing yards are gone, meaning more carries for Love. The Irish return four offensive line starters who combined for 46 games started last season. That’s the kind of veteran blocking that creates Heisman moments.
Pro Football Focus ranks Love as the No. 1 running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Todd McShay compared him to Bijan Robinson for burst and Joe Mixon for patience. When draft experts make those comparisons, you’re looking at special talent.
Derrick Henry won the 2015 Heisman at +2500 odds with 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns. Love’s efficiency numbers suggest he could approach those totals with increased volume. At 40-to-1 odds, this is highway robbery for a player who could easily be 10-to-1 by midseason.
- 2025 Heisman Longshot Bet: Jeremiyah Love (+4000)
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Brady Trettenero
Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
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