Heisman Trophy 2022 Picks and Best Bets

• C.J. Stroud is the favorite to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy, followed by defending champ Bryce Young
• Stroud threw for 4,425 and 44 TD as a redshirt freshman at Ohio State last season
• Read below for complete Heisman odds, plus analysis on which players to target and which players to avoid

The quest to become college football’s most valuable player officially kicks off on Saturday, August 27th. Of course, the Heisman Trophy won’t be handed out until December 10th, but that hasn’t prevented a flurry of movement atop the oddsboard.

Last year’s winner Bryce Young of Alabama opened the preseason with the shortest price, but has since been overtaken by C.J. Stroud. The Ohio State product is one of 15 quarterbacks priced in the top-20, and is looking to become the 10th QB in the last 13 years to win the prestigious award.

2022 Heisman Trophy Odds

Odds as of August 22nd at Barstool Sportsbook.

Stroud’s Heisman Trophy odds are twice as short as Young’s prior to Week 0. Both Stroud and Young are expected to lead their program to the College Football Playoff this season, but playoff performance won’t be factored into the voting. That’s because the Heisman Trophy ceremony takes place a week after Conference Championship weekend, and prior to Bowl season.

Heisman Trophy Favorites

Stroud is coming off an incredible 2021 campaign. He threw for the second most yards (4,435) and touchdowns (44) in Ohio State history, while completing 72% of his passes. He punctuated his season with a 573-yard performance in the Buckeyes Rose Bowl victory, accomplishing all of this as a redshirt freshman.

An Anonymous BIG 10 coach on CJ Stroud : He's pretty special," a veteran Big Ten coach said. "He's the best one they've had since I've been here. They'll be hard to beat with him." pic.twitter.com/Q2pCJqqRmq

— CFBLIVE247™ (@CFBLive247_) August 13, 2022

He’s a very deserving favorite and the fact that he quarterbacks one of the most high-profile programs in the country only enhances his chances of winning.

The same can be said for the defending champ Young, although history suggests otherwise. Ohio State running back Archie Griffin is the only player to ever win back-to-back Heismans, accomplishing the feat in the 1970’s.

Bryce Young has a Heisman Trophy, AP Player of the Year, and Maxwell Award under his belt, as well as multiple Alabama passing records

2022 is set up to be a magical year for the Tide quarterback. pic.twitter.com/dieYY8VJ2p

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 13, 2022

Young and Stroud are projected to be the first and second players selected in next year’s NFL Draft, and Young’s 2021 stats (4,872 yds, 47 TD) were even more impressive than Stroud’s. If there was ever a candidate to break the back-to-back drought, it’s Young.

Players to Avoid in Heisman Odds

You don’t have to go too far down the oddsboard to find a high-profile name to fade in the Heisman Trophy odds. Young’s teammate Will Anderson boasts the fourth shortest price tag at +1400 and is arguably the best player in college football.

The linebacker led the nation in sacks in 2021 with 17.5 and tackles for loss with 34.5. He finished among the league leaders in overall tackles with 101, while recording 14.5 sacks over his final eight contests.

"I just want to leave a great legacy at the University of Alabama."

Will Anderson Jr. is ready for another elite season with Alabama Football 📈🐘 @will_anderson28 | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/jzs4hUbNwK

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 12, 2022

Anderson boasted that resume as a sophomore and expectations are even higher for his junior season. The problem is he plays on the wrong side of the ball. Michigan’s Charles Woodson is the lone Heisman winner who played almost exclusively on defense, but even he was an elite kick returner.

Anderson’s magical 2021 campaign fell short of earning him Heisman Trophy finalist consideration, and unless he breaks multiple defensive records in 2022, his ceiling is likely Defensive Player of the Year.

Another player to fade is Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson. The sophomore is an elite talent, but he won’t accumulate the volume required to have a Heisman Trophy-winning season.

CJ Stroud 2022 Heisman frontrunner✅

Jaxon Smith-Njigba 2022 Biletnikoff frontrunner✅

TreVeyon Henderson 2022 Doak Walker Award frontrunner✅

— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) January 2, 2022

The Buckeyes passed at the nation’s 21st highest rate last season, and their primary focus will be winning through Stroud’s arm. Henderson’s ceiling is most likely the top player of the year at his position.

Heisman Trophy Longshots

One longshot to consider is Texas starting QB Quinn Ewers. The 19-year-old’s odds vary depending on where you bet, so shop accordingly. He’s currently priced as short as +2000 at some online sportsbooks, but as long as +4000 at others.

Ewers is the former number one high school quarterback prospect, and battled Stroud for the OSU starting job in 2021 all the way through training camp.

BREAKING: Steve Sarkisian says Quinn Ewers will be the starting QB for the Texas Longhorns, per Texas Information Director John Bianco. pic.twitter.com/0Orwpc5yB4

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 19, 2022

Now he gets a fresh start with a Longhorns offense that boasts fellow Heisman Trophy contender and elite running back Bijan Robinson, as well as Xavier Worthy, one of the top wide receivers in the country.

Ewers has QB whisperer Steve Sarkisian as his head coach and is capable of tearing up defenses with both his arm and his legs. He threw 73 TD in high school, while running for 12 more.

Ewers and the Longhorns go head-to-head with Young, Anderson and number one Alabama early in the season, and if he proves he’s the real deal, then his current favorable odds are going to be slashed.