Tomorrow is the year’s first full Saturday of college football action, and on-field performance matters a lot more than preseason expectations when it comes to the Heisman race. Still, there are some quality values to consider when trying to predict who might win the award, so here are our five favorites with odds coming from various books to get the best potential return.
Texas QB Arch Manning (+700)
Manning is the favorite for the Heisman, and his odds could shoot up further after tomorrow of the Longhorns are able to knock off the defending champion Buckeyes in Columbus. Either way, the hype for Manning is warranted based on his potential under center, and Texas will be in the spotlight all season.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers (+1800)
Especially if Arch Manning doesn’t declare, Sellers has a very good chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—and his traits will be on display for a South Carolina team with a real shot to win the SEC this season. Last year, Sellers completed a solid 65.6% of his passes with an 18:7 touchdown-interception ratio, and he added 674 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt (+2000)
It might be difficult for Arizona State to repeat last season’s run with a Cam Skattebo-led playoff team, but if they can, it’ll be behind the arm and playmaking ability of Leavitt. The Sun Devils have one of the nation’s top wideouts in Jordyn Tyson, and head coach Kenny Dllingham might expand the offense with Leavitt in his second season as the starter.
Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed (+5000)
Reed is probably the best “longshot” type value among Heisman contenders, as he’s an electric dual-threat quarterback and will be playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the country. Again, the results need to happen on the field, but Reed will get as many opportunities to make a Heisman moment as anyone with road games versus Notre Dame, LSU, and Texas, as well as a home showdown with South Carolina.
Arkansas QB Taylen Green (+20000)
Jeremiah Smith (+1100)—arguably the best player in college football—is worth mentioning, but the award has slanted towards quarterbacks for the most part. Instead, Green is a deep sleeper entering his second season in Bobby Petrino’s offense (remember, Petrino coached Lamar Jackson when he won the Heisman), and the senior quarterback is coming off an MVP award in the Liberty Bowl when he had 422 total yards and three total touchdowns.