Story By: Preston Bennett
MONTEVALLO, Ala. — Only one player wins the Heisman Trophy each season for their performance in college football. Last season, it was former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels who took home the prestigious award. That begs the question: who will win it this season?
Here’s a look at the top five players with best odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
No. 5: Cade Klubnik (Quarterback, Clemson)
Cade Klubnik is having a career year for Clemson. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation in passing touchdowns with 20 on the year. That is the most he has ever had in a season for the Tigers. Klubnik also has 1,836 passing yards and three interceptions on the season.
Klubnik has not only been good throwing the ball, but also running it, with 227 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to show for it. He is also No. 7 in points responsible for, and has the Tigers sitting at a record of 6-1.
Clemson is currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, according to the AP Poll, and is undefeated in conference play. Klubnik has been a big contributer to a potential College Football Playoff team, and he currently has +2000 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
No. 4: Travis Hunter (Cornerback/Wide Receiver, Colorado)
Travis Hunter has made a name for himself by playing cornerback and wide receiver for the Buffaloes. At cornerback, he has two interceptions and 18 total tackles so far this season. On the offensive side, he is currently ranked No. 19 in the nation in receiving yards with 604 and is tied for No. 17 in receiving touchdowns with six on the season. He also leads the nation in total snaps with 664.
Hunter was ranked No. 2 in the Heisman odds before he sustained an injury against Kansas State, who is currently No. 16 in the AP Poll. Deion Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach, didn’t agree with Hunter being projected No. 2 in the Heisman odds at the time, making his opinion known on the show “College Gameday.”
“How do you even fix your mouth to say that? Second? Travis Hunter and second have never gotten along,” said Sanders. Colorado currently sits at 5-2 with their next game at home against Cincinnati. Hunter currently has +1500 odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
“How do you even fix your mouth to say that? Second? Travis Hunter and second have never gotten along.”
Deion Sanders, Head Coach of the Colorado Buffaloes
No. 3: Dillon Gabriel (Quarterback, Oregon)
Dillon Gabriel currently has +350 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, and it’s not difficult to see why he’s in the conversation for the award. He currently ranks No. 9 in the nation in passing yards with 2,080. He has 15 touchdowns and three interceptions through the air as well.
Gabriel has also been extremely accurate with a completion percentage of 77%, which currently has him ranked No. 1 in the nation in that statistic. He also runs the football effectively, with four rushing touchdowns on the season.
Gabriel currently has Oregon ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, with the Ducks’ biggest win coming at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes, who were ranked No. 2 at the time, 32-31. Oregon is currently 7-0 with No. 20 Illinois next on their schedule.
Tied at No. 1: Cameron Ward (Quarterback, Miami)
With Miami currently sitting at a record of 7-0, Cameron Ward has made himself known to the college football world. He currently has +200 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, causing him to be tied at No. 1. Ward leads the nation in passing yards and passing touchdowns, with 2,538 yards and 24 touchdowns through the air.
He is also ranked No. 1 in the nation in points responsible for, and he is No. 2 in passing efficiency according to the NCAA.
Ward has led the Hurricanes to their best start and highest ranking since 2017, with Miami currently ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and in contention for a CFB Playoff spot. Miami’s next game will be at home against Florida State.
Tied at No. 1: Ashton Jeanty (Running Back, Boise State)
Ashton Jeanty has had an exceptional year so far for the Boise State Broncos. He leads the nation in rushing yards with 1,248 and is tied for No. 2 in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 17. He is averaging 208 yards per game right now, which has him No. 1 in college football in that statistic. Jeanty is also averaging 9.9 yards per carry.
With the way he’s played so far, he could come close to breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, which sits at 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Boise State is currently ranked No. 17 and sit at 5-1, with their 34-37 loss coming on the road against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. Jeanty is a big reason why the Broncos have a chance to make the CFB Playoff for the first time in school history, and he currently has +200 odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Boise State’s next game will be on the road against UNLV.
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