The biggest Heisman moment in the early part of the college football season puts Marcel Reed back in the top spot in the Heisman race.
1. Marcel Reed | Texas A&M QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 2 (+1)
Reed lit up a top Notre Dame defense with 360 yards and two touchdowns (one interception) in a 41-40 upset win—and it came in a difficult road environment and with the Fighting Irish coming off a bye week and desperate to avoid an 0-2 start. Still, Reed consistently connected with Mario Craver and KC Concepcion on chunk gains, and the game-winning touchdown throw in the final seconds on fourth-and-goal from the 11-yard line could end up being the top Heisman moment of 2025.
Season stats:
58.6% | 869 PASS YDS | 9 PASS TD | 1 INT
25 CAR | 142 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 5.7 AVG
2. John Mateer | Oklahoma QB | Junior (RS) | Last week: 1 (-1)
As was the case for Marcel Reed last week, Mateer didn’t do anything to fall from the top spot—again showing his dual-threat ability with seven carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in a 42-3 victory over Temple. Mateer does have an interception in all three games, but the touchdown-interception ratio should improve, and he gets a great showcase opportunity this Saturday when the Sooners host Auburn in an SEC clash.
Season stats:
67.6% | 944 PASS YDS | 5 PASS TD | 3 INT
33 CAR | 161 RUSH YDS | 4 RUSH TD | 4.9 AVG
3. Thomas Castellanos | Florida State QB | Senior | Last week: 3
Castellanos and the Seminoles were out of action last week, and they will get a couple of tune-up games versus Kent State and Virginia before taking on Miami on October 4.
Season stats:
68.0% | 389 PASS YDS | 3 PASS TD | 0 INT
20 CAR | 85 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 4.3 AVG
4. Carson Beck | Miami QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Beck had a couple of interceptions last week, but he was mostly excellent in a blowout win over then-No. 18 USF—completing 23-of-28 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns (plus six carries for 28 yards and another score). Despite already facing two ranked opponents, Beck is completing nearly 80% of his passes and appears more confident and in control than he was at Georgia.
Season stats:
79.3% | 812 PASS YDS | 7 PASS TD | 2 INT
8 CAR | 26 RUSH YDS | 1 TD | 3.3 AVG
5. Taylen Green | Arkansas QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: NR
Even in a loss to Ole Miss, a strong case could be made for Green increasing his Heisman odds—as he had 305 yards and a touchdown through the air and added 14 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown on the ground. And before a fumble by wide receiver Jalen Brown on the final drive, Green (who is averaging 13.7 yards per completion and 9.6 yards per carry on the year) was marching Arkansas down the field for a possible game-winning touchdown on the road.
Season stats:
68.5% | 866 PASS YDS | 11 PASS TD | 2 INT
32 CAR | 307 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 9.6 AVG
Dropped out:
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers