2023 Heisman Longshots to Bet in Preseason
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:
- Caleb Williams is favored to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy, after claiming the award in 2022
- There are plenty of longshots worthy of a bet, most notably UNC QB Drake Maye
- See below for the best 2023 Heisman Trophy longshots to bet in the preseason
Only one player in college football history has ever won the Heisman Trophy twice. Archie Griffin accomplished the feat back in the mid-70’s, yet reigning champ Caleb Williams is getting all the love to go back-to-back heading into the 2023 season.
2023 Heisman Trophy Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Caleb Williams (QB, USC) | +550 |
| Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas) | +1200 |
| Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU) | +1200 |
| Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson) | +1400 |
| Jordan Travis (QB, Florida State) | +1400 |
| Sam Hartman (QB, Notre Dame) | +1600 |
| Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington) | +1600 |
| Drake Maye (QB, North Carolina) | +1600 |
| Bo Nix (QB, Oregon) | +1600 |
| J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan) | +1800 |
| Carson Beck (QB, Georgia) | +2000 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State) | +2000 |
| Kyle McCord (QB, Ohio State) | +2200 |
| Drew Allar (QB, Penn State) | +2500 |
| Joe Milton (QB, Tennessee) | +2500 |
| Blake Corum (RB, Michigan) | +2800 |
| TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State) | +3000 |
| Brock Vandagriff (QB, Georgia) | +3500 |
| Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oklahoma) | +3500 |
| Conner Weigman (QB, Texas A&M) | +4500 |
| Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ole Miss) | +5000 |
| Nick Singleton (RB, Penn State) | +5000 |
| Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina) | +6000 |
| Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama) | +6000 |
| Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) | +6000 |
| Tyler Buchner (QB, Alabama) | +6000 |
| Devin Brown (QB, Ohio State) | +6000 |
| Will Shipley (RB, Clemson) | +6000 |
Williams is currently the +550 favorite in the Heisman Trophy odds, which is a price tag that’s more than twice as short as the next closest contender.
The USC product is also favored to be selected first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, much like the previous Heisman Trophy winner before him (Bryce Young), there’s a good chance he goes number one and falls short of repeating as college football’s most valuable player.
That will open up the door for a potential longshot to capture the coveted award, and we’ve seen some massive preseason underdogs walk away with the award in recent memory.
In 2020, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith was +10000 prior to the season to win the Heisman. The wideout beat the odds in the COVID-shortened campaign thanks to a stellar year, and a lack of spectacular QB play.
In 2019, LSU’s Joe Burrow was priced as long as 200-1 in the preseason. Burrow’s lighting-fast start quickly shortened his odds to +8000, and by the end of the season, he was -1000 to claim the trophy.
Odds as of July 16 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on College Football futures.
Got to Love the Drake
If someone other than Williams is going to win the award, chances are it will be a quarterback. 10 of the past 12 Heisman Trophy winners have been QB’s and only six of the top-30 contenders on the oddsboard are not signal callers.
Heisman Trophy Winners Last 12 years
| Player | Year |
|---|---|
| Caleb Williams (USC) | 2022 |
| Bryce Young (Alabama) | 2021 |
| DeVonta Smith (Alabama) | 2020 |
| Joe Burrow (LSU) | 2019 |
| Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) | 2018 |
| Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) | 2017 |
| Lamar Jackson (Louisville) | 2016 |
| Derrick Henry (Alabama) | 2015 |
| Marcus Mariota (Oregon) | 2014 |
| Jameis Winston (Florida State) | 2013 |
| Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) | 2012 |
| Robert Griffith III (Baylor) | 2011 |
It wasn’t too long ago that UNC’s Drake Maye had the second shortest Opening 2023 Heisman Trophy odds, and his slide down the betting board is being overblown.
For starters, if someone is going to overtake Williams as the top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, chances are it will be Maye. He’s already projected to be the second QB taken, and as he proved last year, his ceiling is sky-high.
Drake Maye reportedly “is” Joe Burrow as an NFL prospect according to Trent Dilfer (former NFL QB).
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Maye would’ve been the first overall pick in “several” previous drafts.
Many NFL scouts also reportedly believe there’s a “chance” Maye could… pic.twitter.com/N8U5UVXuda
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 10, 2023
As a redshirt freshman, Maye threw for 4,321 yards and 38 TD in 2022, while rushing for another seven scores. He led North Carolina to a 9-1 start and an ACC Championship Game appearance, and he could get a significant boost from new OC Chip Lindsey.
The former Auburn OC helped Jarrett Stidham set numerous records for the Tigers, and his offense is considered more balanced, which will alleviate some of the Tar Heels’ offensive line concerns.
The public is also panicking about two of Maye’s weapons leaving for the NFL, but UNC used the transfer portal to its advantage poaching receiver talent from both Kent State and Georgia Tech. +1600 is far too long a price for a player of Maye’s talent, and one that will be slashed quickly the moment he showcases similar form as last season.
Pick: Drake Maye (+1600)
Milton is a Money Maker
Much like former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker, the Vols Joe Milton has the chance to challenge for the Heisman late in his college career. He had a 10-to-0 TD-to-INT rate and completed 65% of his passes in limited duty last season, and was instrumental in Tennessee’s Orange Bowl win.
I think about how effortless this play by Joe Milton was a lot pic.twitter.com/pRt4eEdGDk
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) July 12, 2023
The sixth-year QB be leading a Josh Heupel offense that has a proven track record of success. In his five seasons as a head coach, Heupel quarterbacks have averaged 34 touchdown passes. Last year, Tennessee was among the nation’s best in yards per play, yards per pass attempt and explosive passes, and the expectation is Milton produces similar results in 2023.
If Milton comes roaring out of the gate, his price will be drastically shortened immediately. Take advantage of the favorable number now and lock in the +2500 odds.
Pick: Joe Milton (+2500)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBD1500 & GET $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS
BET365 SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $150 IN BONUS BETS WITH CODE SBD365!
FANATICS SPORTSBOOKBET & GET UP TO $1,000 IN BONUS BETS!
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS INSTANTLY!
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $250 IF YOUR BET WINS!
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBD2DYW & BET $1 TO DOUBLE THE WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 10 BETS!
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA); (877) 8-HOPENY (NY); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); (888) 789-7777 (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN); mdgamblinghelp.org (MD); morethanagame.nc.gov (NC); 1800gambler.net (WV)
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
