ESPN ranks the top ten college football players vying for the Heisman Trophy in 2025.

In a sweeping early preview of the 2025 college football landscape, ESPN has identified the ten athletes most likely to contend for college football’s highest individual honor, the Heisman Trophy. This list – released May 15, 2025 – reflects a balance across positions, conferences and playing styles, underscoring how the race for college football’s crown is as much about narrative and team context as it is about raw statistics. Below is an exhaustive look at ESPN’s top ten contenders, why each player has earned their spot, and what to watch as the season unfolds.

10. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

Alabama’s attack has long been defined by its power run game and quarterback pedigree, but wide receiver Ryan Williams emerged last season as a dynamic playmaker who can flip the field in a single snap. Williams finished the 2024 campaign with 62 receptions for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking him among the Crimson Tide’s most reliable targets. As quarterback Ty Simpson and company look to replace production lost to the NFL, Williams’s route-running precision and ability to turn short catches into explosive gains make him a dark-horse Heisman candidate.

9. John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

After transferring from Washington State, where he accounted for 44 total touchdowns in 2024, John Mateer arrives in Norman as the Sooners’ signal-caller and offensive catalyst. Mateer’s dual-threat skill set—he compiled over 3,100 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards last season—provides a template for modern Heisman winners. His rapport with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and familiarity with a up-tempo scheme could yield gaudy numbers in a tougher SEC environment, making Mateer a compelling pick for voters who favor versatile playmakers.

8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s sophomore back burst onto the national scene by becoming the only FBS player to score a rushing touchdown in all 12 games of the 2024 season, finishing with 949 yards and 15 touchdowns on 134 carries. Love’s combination of patience and burst, paired with his ability to contribute in the passing game, gives the Fighting Irish a lethal weapon in an offense transitioning under new leadership. Though he may share carries in 2025, Love’s knack for finding the end zone week after week solidifies his place among the top contenders.

7. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

South Carolina’s junior quarterback takes center stage after two seasons splitting time and learning capitalized under coach Shane Beamer. Sellers threw for 2,800 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024 while exhibiting marked improvement in decision-making and mobility. His leadership on a Gamecocks team aiming for its first SEC East title chase since 2010 will be critical; voters often gravitate toward quarterbacks who carry their programs, and Sellers’s poise in tight games could give him Heisman momentum.

6. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Allar, the Nittany Lions’ sophomore quarterback, flashed both arm talent and athleticism in his freshman campaign, passing for 3,100 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Known for his quick release and pocket presence, Allar guided Penn State to a 10-3 record and a bowl victory, demonstrating the calm needed in a high-pressure conference. With an experienced supporting cast and national title aspirations, Allar’s consistency in big moments could propel him into serious Heisman consideration.

5. DJ Lagway, QB, Florida

Florida’s signal-caller emerged as the Gators’ X-factor in 2024, completing 68% of his passes for 2,900 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 450 yards. Lagway’s dual-threat capability mirrors the profile of recent Heisman winners who can hurt defenses with both arm and legs. Under coach Billy Napier’s balanced offensive scheme, Lagway’s efficiency and playmaking flair—particularly on designed quarterback runs—make him a candidate to steal headlines and sway voters looking for electrifying versatility.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Tasked with succeeding Jayden Daniels, LSU’s junior quarterback answered the challenge by throwing for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024, including seven 300-yard games. Nussmeier’s quick decision-making and arm strength fit seamlessly in Brian Kelly’s pro-style offense, and his ability to read defenses pre-snap has been lauded by teammates. With a rebuilt wide receiver corps and championship expectations in Baton Rouge, Nussmeier has a clear path to Heisman-caliber statistics.

3. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Ohio State’s top playmaker in 2024, Smith hauled in 78 catches for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing his contested-catch prowess and yards-after-catch explosion. As a senior, Smith anchors a Buckeyes passing attack loaded with talent, and quarterbacks Kyle McCord and CJ Stroud (now in the NFL) have laid the groundwork for Smith to continue feasting on Big Ten defenses. His resume already aligns with those of past wide receivers who contended for the Heisman, making him a top fantasy and voters’ pick.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Carrying one of college football’s most storied legacies, Arch Manning enters his first full season as the Longhorns’ starter with +700 Heisman odds, according to ESPN BET. His high-school pedigree translated to flashes of brilliance at Texas, where he showed pocket poise and an ability to make all throws. Manning’s combination of name recognition, narrative appeal and expected statistical output—projected at over 3,500 passing yards with 30+ touchdowns—makes him an irresistible choice for voters craving both story and substance.

1. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Topping ESPN’s list is Clemson’s veteran quarterback, the only returning starter from a team that reached the national championship conversation in 2024. Klubnik completed 65% of his passes for 3,200 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions, earning accolades for his leadership and deep-ball accuracy. Under coach Dabo Swinney’s offense—which balances run and pass effectively—Klubnik is poised for a career-year. His ring atop the list reflects not only statistical projections but also his command of a program accustomed to Heisman traditions.

Themes and Takeaways

Several patterns emerge from this ranking:

1. Quarterback Dominance: Six of the top ten are signal-callers, underscoring voters’ preference for those who directly control an offense’s fate.
2. Dual-Threat Appeal: Modern Heisman winners often combine passing prowess with rushing ability—Mateer, Lagway and Allar exemplify this trend.
3. Program Context: Contenders hail from top programs (Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson) or ascend at rising powers (SMU’s Kevin Jennings not in this list but emblematic elsewhere), reflecting how team success elevates individual candidacies.
4. Narrative Power: Arch Manning’s lineage and Cade Klubnik’s leadership play into the storyline-driven nature of the Heisman vote.

What’s Next?

With preseason games kicking off this summer and poll movements tracked weekly, these ten athletes will be front and center come award season. Injuries, breakout teammates, coaching changes and schedule strength will all factor into the ebb and flow of the Heisman conversation. Yet, as things stand today, Cade Klubnik’s veteran poise, Arch Manning’s storybook narrative and Garrett Nussmeier’s statistical ceiling place them atop a crowded field. Voters will keep a watchful eye on November performances—historical swing games like Ohio State vs. Michigan and Texas vs. Oklahoma often prove decisive.

Whether a favorite slips or an outsider surges, this list provides a framework for fans, analysts and bettors alike to track the contenders as the college football season hurtles toward its climax. One thing is certain: the race for the 2025 Heisman Trophy promises to be as thrilling and unpredictable as college football itself.