Outside of the College Football Playoff conversation, the Heisman race is the most talked-about and exciting topic throughout the NCAA season. Awarded to the nation’s most outstanding player, the Heisman Trophy comes with an unmatched level of honor and prestige.
Quarterbacks have historically dominated this category, winning in 15 of the last 18 seasons, with the other three going to two running backs and one wide receiver. As such, almost all of the top candidates in this year’s Heisman race are quarterbacks.
Will we see a break from tradition this year? Or will the Heisman Trophy once again be awarded to the country’s best passer?
All NCAAF odds are current as of Tuesday, Aug. 20, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Top Heisman Candidates 2024
- Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon (+750)
- Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (+800)
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (+1000)
- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (+1400)
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (+1400)
- Will Howard, QB, Ohio State (+1500)
- Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (+1500)
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) (+2200)
- Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame (+2200)
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (+2200)
All other 2024 Heisman candidates have (+2500) odds or longer.
2024 Heisman Prediction
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (+1000)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Texas comes into the year as well-positioned to win the national championship as it has been in over a decade, earning its highest preseason AP poll rank (No. 4) since 2009. QB Quinn Ewers is a big reason why, and he may just be the savior the Longhorns have long been waiting for.
The 21-year-old looks poised to build upon a strong sophomore campaign in which he threw for 22 touchdowns and 3,479 yards to just six interceptions, plus another five scores on the ground. He’ll have plenty an opportunity to showcase his abilities, too, as Texas begins its first year of SEC play.
The Longhorns have an early tilt with Michigan in Week 2, but from there, it’s relatively smooth sailing until mid-October, when they’ll play rival Oklahoma and preseason No. 1 Georgia in back-to-back weeks. If Ewers can lead Texas to wins in each contest, he’ll almost certainly cement himself as the Heisman favorite.
It’s a tall task, but at (+1000), it’s more than worth the gamble with your NCAAF bet of the day.
2024 Heisman Favorites
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon (+750)
DraftKings Sportsbook
Oregon produced over 44 points per game with Bo Nix leading the charge in 2023, so it’s easy to see why many are feeling optimistic about Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel’s candidacy. He led the Sooners with 30 passing touchdowns and another 12 on the ground this past season and should thrive under Dan Lanning.
The Ducks also have a great shot to be a national title contender in what will be their first year in the Big Ten. Oregon hosts Ohio State and travels to play Michigan, but otherwise, none of their other opponents cracked the preseason AP Top 25.
- Should the new-look Ducks be favored in the CFP National Championship Odds?
With that said, I’m a little unsure about picking the preseason favorite to win the Heisman before he steps onto the field for Oregon’s first game. He may well go on to win it, but it’s a long season, and at (+750), there are much better bets you can place today.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (+800)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
It’s no surprise to see Beck near the top of this list. He hasn’t posted the flashiest numbers throughout his career at Georgia, but he’s the quarterback for the No. 1 team in the country, and the Bulldogs are always a safe bet to dominate during the regular season.
Beck threw for 24 touchdowns and 3,941 yards in 14 games this past year, and he rarely turned the ball over. He’ll once again be surrounded by talented weapons, including top transfer Trevor Etienne. The former Florida RB scored eight times on the ground in 2023, and he figures to play a role in the passing game as well.
Georgia has a tough schedule (vs Tennessee, @ Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss), so coming out of the regular season without a loss would be a monumental achievement. Beck’s Heisman chances would see a massive boost if he can get the job done, so I’m willing to play a half-unit wager at (+800).
2024 Heisman Sleepers
Miller Moss, QB, Southern California (+3500)
DraftKings Sportsbook
These aren’t Caleb Williams’ Trojans, but don’t sleep on Miller Moss. USC’s latest starting quarterback dazzled in last year’s Holiday Bowl, throwing for six touchdowns and 372 yards, including a 44-yard score to 6-foot-6-inch wideout Duce Robinson.
We can count on this offense to produce under Lincoln Riley, but the Trojans’ lackluster defense will be tested in their first year in the Big Ten. The schedule is highlighted by meetings with LSU, Michigan, Penn State, and Notre Dame.
- See where the Trojans land in our Top 50 College Football Power Rankings.
USC isn’t likely to be a player in the College Football Playoff, but Moss has what it takes to help this team exceed expectations. Should the Trojans make an early leap into the top 10, his Heisman stock could skyrocket.
Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona (+4000)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
The Wildcats were a pleasant surprise in 2023, going 10-3 and finishing at No. 11 in the final AP poll. All three of Arizona’s losses came by seven points or less, including a 31-24 defeat at the hands of the Washington Huskies, who went on to play in the CFP National Championship.
Quarterback Noah Fifita carried an offense that scored 34.6 points per game (18th in the nation), and he’s back for the Wildcats’ first year of Big 12 play. As a sophomore, Fifita completed 72.4% of his passes for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions.
Arizona has plenty of offensive weapons, including standout WR Tetairoa McMillan, who turned 90 receptions into 1,402 yards and 10 scores. The pair should continue to link up and make noise in 2024, and with a relatively light schedule, the Wildcats could give Fifita the push he needs to gain national attention.
Former Heisman Trophy Winners
YEAR | WINNER | SCHOOL | POSITION |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Jayden Daniels | LSU | QB |
2022 | Caleb Williams | USC | QB |
2021 | Bryce Young | Alabama | QB |
2020 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama | WR |
2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU | QB |
2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma | QB |
2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma | QB |
2016 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville | QB |
2015 | Derrick Henry | Alabama | RB |
2014 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon | QB |
2013 | Jameis Winston | Florida State | QB |
2012 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M | QB |
2011 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor | QB |
2010 | Cameron Newton | Auburn | QB |
2009 | Mark Ingram | Alabama | RB |
2008 | Sam Bradford | Oklahoma | QB |
2007 | Tim Tebow | Florida | QB |
2006 | Troy Smith | Ohio State | QB |
2005 | Reggie Bush | USC | RB |
2004 | Matt Leinart | USC | QB |
2003 | Jason White | Oklahoma | QB |
2002 | Carson Palmer | USC | QB |
2001 | Eric Crouch | Nebraska | QB |
2000 | Chris Weinke | Florida State | QB |
1999 | Ron Dayne | Wisconsin | RB |
1998 | Ricky Williams | Texas | RB |
1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan | DB/WR |
1996 | Danny Wuerffel | Florida | QB |
1995 | Eddie George | Ohio State | RB |
1994 | Rashaan Salaam | Colorado | RB |
1993 | Charlie Ward | Florida State | QB |
1992 | Gino Torretta | Miami | QB |
1991 | Desmond Howard | Michigan | WR |
1990 | Ty Detmer | Brigham Young | QB |
1989 | Andre Ware | Houston | QB |
1988 | Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State | RB |
1987 | Tim Brown | Notre Dame | WR |
1986 | Vinny Testaverde | Miami | QB |
1985 | Bo Jackson | Auburn | RB |
1984 | Doug Flutie | Boston College | QB |
1983 | Mike Rozier | Nebraska | RB |
1982 | Herschel Walker | Georgia | RB |
1981 | Marcus Allen | USC | RB |
1980 | George Rogers | South Carolina | RB |
1979 | Charles White | USC | RB |
1978 | Billy Sims | Oklahoma | RB |
1977 | Earl Campbell | Texas | RB |
1976 | Tony Dorsett | Pittsburgh | RB |
1975 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State | RB |
1974 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State | RB |
1973 | John Cappelletti | Penn State | RB |
1972 | Johnny Rodgers | Nebraska | WR |
1971 | Pat Sullivan | Auburn | QB |
1970 | Jim Plunkett | Stanford | QB |
1969 | Steve Owens | Oklahoma | HB |
1968 | O.J. Simpson | USC | HB |
1967 | Gary Beban | UCLA | QB |
1966 | Steve Spurrier | Florida | QB |
1965 | Mike Garrett | USC | HB |
1964 | John Huarte | Notre Dame | QB |
1963 | Roger Staubach | Navy | QB |
1962 | Terry Baker | Oregon State | QB |
1961 | Ernie Davis | Syracuse | HB |
1960 | Joe Bellino | Navy | HB |
1959 | Billy Cannon | LSU | HB |
1958 | Pete Dawkins | Army | HB |
1957 | John David Crow | Texas A&M | HB |
1956 | Paul Hornung | Notre Dame | QB |
1955 | Howard Cassady | Ohio State | HB |
1954 | Alan Ameche | Wisconsin | FB |
1953 | Johnny Lattner | Notre Dame | HB |
1952 | Billy Vessels | Oklahoma | HB |
1951 | Dick Kazmaier | Princeton | HB |
1950 | Vic Janowicz | Ohio State | HB |
1949 | Leon Hart | Notre Dame | E |
1948 | Doak Walker | SMU | HB |
1947 | Johnny Lujack | Notre Dame | QB |
1946 | Glenn Davis | Army | HB |
1945 | Doc Blanchard | Army | FB |
1944 | Les Horvath | Ohio State | QB/HB |
1943 | Angelo Bertelli | Notre Dame | QB |
1942 | Frank Sinkwich | Georgia | HB |
1941 | Bruce Smith | Minnesota | HB |
1940 | Tom Harmon | Michigan | HB |
1939 | Nile Kinnick | Iowa | HB |
1938 | Davey O'Brien | Texas Christian | QB |
1937 | Clint Frank | Yale | HB |
1936 | Larry Kelley | Yale | E |
1935 | Jay Berwanger | Chicago | HB |