After Travis Hunter’s historic Heisman Trophy victory came by the smallest margin since 2009, the conditions are ripe for another season full of surprises in the race for college football’s highest individual honor. Will an up-and-coming passer start a new streak of quarterback Heisman winners, or will another electric playmaker emerge as the engine of a College Football Playoff contender and capture voters’ attention?
The format of this annual preseason exercise remains the same: We arranged writers in a randomized snake draft order and gave them four rounds to take their pick of this season’s Heisman candidates. In December, the writer whose four picks have totaled the most points earns 12 months of bragging rights.
Our scoring system:
Heisman Trophy winner: 15 points
Second place: 9 points
Third place: 8 points
Fourth place: 7 points
Fifth place: 6 points
Sixth place: 5 points
Seventh place: 4 points
Eighth place: 3 points
Ninth place: 2 points
10th place: 1 point
Invited to New York City: +5 bonus
Midseason Heisman leader: +5 bonus
Here was the randomized order of our snake draft: 1. Chris Vannini (last year’s champion, who snagged Travis Hunter with the seventh pick and never looked back); 2. Ralph Russo; 3. Scott Dochterman; 4. Stewart Mandel; 5. Bruce Feldman; 6. David Ubben; 7. Manny Navarro; 8. Justin Williams.
WriterRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4
Vannini
Cade Klubnik
Sam Leavitt
Miller Moss
Kevin Jennings
Russo
Jeremiah Smith
Avery Johnson
Julian Sayin
Marcel Reed
Dochterman
Arch Manning
Demond Williams
Eli Holstein
Mark Gronowski
Mandel
Jeremiyah Love
Bryce Underwood
Nick Singleton
Darian Mensah
Feldman
Garrett Nussmeier
Carson Beck
Ty Simpson
Dylan Raiola
Ubben
LaNorris Sellers
DJ Lagway
Devon Dampier
Austin Simmons
Navarro
Jackson Arnold
Dante Moore
Ryan Williams
Nate Frazier
Williams
Drew Allar
John Mateer
Makhi Hughes
TJ Parker
Round 1, Pick 1: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
There’s no obvious frontrunner for the trophy this season, but people may forget Klubnik had a great 2024 after being held out of the end zone in a season-opening loss to Georgia. Clemson brings back its top three receivers, two of whom were freshmen a year ago. A good Week 1 showing against LSU could put him atop the list early. — Chris Vannini
Round 1, Pick 2: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
My goal in my first year participating in the Heisman draft is to not finish last. Hence, Smith was No. 1 on my board. Yes, receivers have rarely won the Heisman. DeVonta Smith of Alabama in 2020 was the first receiver to win it since Desmond Howard of Michigan in 1991. Smith could be good enough to buck the trend, but more importantly, his combination of talent and name recognition makes him the most likely player in the country to at least be one of the four finalists. — Ralph Russo
Round 1, Pick 3: Texas QB Arch Manning
Well, here’s a gift. You guys just left me with the presumptive favorite, and I’ll gladly select him here. Manning has more hype than any player in years, and if he leads Texas past Ohio State in Week 1, he’s got the September Heisman wrapped up. If the Longhorns take the SEC crown, then he wins and I win. — Scott Dochterman
Round 1, Pick 4: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Not gonna lie, I really wanted Jeremiah Smith. Kudos to you, Ralph. But Love has a lot to offer as well. He’s the kind of player who makes highlights every week, like we saw in last year’s CFP with his 98-yard run against Indiana and ridiculous short-yardage touchdown against Penn State. He plays for Notre Dame, so he’ll be in big TV windows every week for a Playoff contender. But I do realize it’s bucking recent history to take a running back. — Stewart Mandel
Round 1, Pick 5: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
I took Nussmeier last year too, and even though LSU has to replace four O-linemen, including top-five pick Will Campbell, expect Nussmeier to put up huge numbers this season. He’s got terrific arm talent and playmaking ability, and he’s got more speed at receiver than any team in the country. He’s also really, really sharp. The Tigers should be a Playoff team this season, and even if Nussmeier doesn’t bring home the hardware, I expect him to be a Heisman finalist. — Bruce Feldman
Round 1, Pick 6: South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers
Sellers closed 2024 in style, fueling wins over Missouri and Playoff-bound rival Clemson. The tools are obviously there; he looks like an NFL edge rusher. He can improve as a passer, but he put together a special freshman season to build off and has a ton of help around him. There’s no ceiling for him this year, and South Carolina could surprise. Am I also influenced by his status as a near-deity on the College Football 26 video game? Who’s to say? My colleague Bruce Feldman also wrote a tremendous story about him. If this pick goes poorly, I’m holding Bruce personally responsible. — David Ubben
Round 1, Pick 7: Auburn QB Jackson Arnold
Two players drafted in our first round were not listed among the top 19 players in BetMGM’s preseason odds to win the Heisman: Love and Arnold. My approach picking this late in the first round was to select an SEC quarterback with dual-threat ability and the potential to formulate a strong Heisman narrative as a program savior. Hugh Freeze’s busy offseason on the golf course convinced me to take a chance on Arnold, who has multiple early road opportunities to put the Tigers’ 5-7 2024 season behind them (Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas A&M) and a couple more chances after that to pull off big upsets at home (Georgia, Alabama). — Manny Navarro
Round 1, Pick 8: Penn State QB Drew Allar
Allar didn’t put up gaudy numbers in 2024, but he ranked top-20 nationally in passing yards, completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, with a 24-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He does lose tight end and leading pass catcher Tyler Warren to the NFL, but Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton will split the vote at running back. If Allar can continue to improve and boost his numbers, and Penn State lives up to the hype, he could get some Heisman buzz. — Justin Williams
Round 2, Pick 1: Oklahoma QB John Mateer
I’m betting on potential at the top of the second round. Mateer was the most coveted quarterback in the transfer portal, and he joins an Oklahoma offense in dire need of a refresh, along with Ben Arbuckle, his former OC at Washington State, as well as Cal transfer running back Jaydn Ott. Assuming the Sooners get better injury luck at receiver in 2025, Mateer could be the next Oklahoma QB to hoist the Heisman Trophy, and I will be crowned the Sam Presti of this draft. If this pick flops, Oklahoma has bigger problems. — Justin Williams
Round 2, Pick 2: Oregon QB Dante Moore
Sometimes you just have to have faith in the voting system. Ducks quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel finished third in each of the last two Heisman races. Moore, a former five-star recruit from Michigan, has a cast of young unknown receivers who will have to step up with Evan Stewart injured. That should help Moore earn the bulk of the credit if Oregon ends up being really good again. His first real opportunity to make a Heisman statement comes Sept. 27 at Big Ten favorite Penn State. — Manny Navarro
Round 2, Pick 3: Florida QB DJ Lagway
Apparently I’m building my team solely out of dual-threat quarterbacks with a ton of potential amid some skepticism. Lagway took over the starting job as a five-star true freshman last year and was a huge reason why Florida rallied late in the season, notching a pair of Top 25 wins to cool off Billy Napier’s seat. The Gators are one of the biggest wild cards in the SEC, and their outlook will be closely tied to how much promise Lagway fulfills in his first full season as the starting quarterback. I’m buying stock. — David Ubben
Round 2, Pick 4: Miami QB Carson Beck
I was surprised Beck was still available here. Going into last season, he was the college QB NFL scouts were the highest on because of his quick release, accuracy and ability to read defenses. The Georgia offense struggled in 2024 without Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, but I think Beck is in for a bounceback this season. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will be a great fit for him, just like he was for Cam Ward. — Bruce Feldman
Round 2, Pick 5: Michigan QB Bryce Underwood
I did not love the other options at this range, so why not go for broke? Although a true freshman has never won the Heisman, I don’t see any reason it could not happen today. Underwood is already a well-known name due to his multimillion-dollar NIL deal funded by Larry Ellison of all people. Now he takes over a Michigan offense that had abysmal quarterback play last season. If he can lead a resurrection and get the Wolverines back in the CFP, he’ll be in the mix. — Stewart Mandel
Round 2, Pick 6: Washington QB Demond Williams
It’s time to jump on the Demond Williams hype train. He’s got a Charlie Ward type of game to him, and I think Washington is the Big Ten’s biggest sleeper. In the Sun Bowl, Williams threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 48 yards and another score. Can he do that against Big Ten defenses? Yes, he can. — Scott Dochterman
Round 2, Pick 7: Kansas State QB Avery Johnson
Last year, I picked Johnson to win the Heisman. Not wrong, just early! Dual-threat quarterbacks usually have the best path to the Heisman. If Johnson becomes a more consistent passer and leads Kansas State to a Big 12 title, I’m feeling good about him being in the mix. Also, I’m fully acknowledging that I could very much regret not taking Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt. — Ralph Russo
Round 2, Pick 8: Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
Back for a second season leading the Sun Devils, with 1,100-yard wide receiver Jordyn Tyson returning, Leavitt should take another big step forward. He nearly led Arizona State to the CFP semifinal, and with Cam Skattebo gone, the offense will be on Leavitt’s shoulders. — Chris Vannini
Round 3, Pick 1: Louisville QB Miller Moss
Are you aware of the quarterbacks Jeff Brohm is getting to the NFL? I’m talking guys like David Blough, Aidan O’Connell and (second-round pick!) Tyler Shough. The USC transfer Moss is no less talented than the others, and with receivers like Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy back, Moss is going to put up big numbers for a team that could be a Top 25 outfit. — Chris Vannini
Round 3, Pick 2: Ohio State QB Julian Sayin
Buckeyes quarterbacks have received a ton of Heisman love since Ryan Day arrived in Columbus as Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator in 2017, but it’s been a couple of years since one finished in the top 10 in the voting. Sayin is a former five-star with a chance to be the next great Ohio State passer. I concede he’ll have to be especially good just to be the leading Heisman contender on his own team over Smith. — Ralph Russo
Round 3, Pick 3: Pitt QB Eli Holstein
Some young quarterback is going to make a move, and the Pitt sophomore has the perfect schedule to do it, with the Backyard Brawl in mid-September, important ACC matchups against Louisville and Florida State by midseason and high-stakes games against Notre Dame and Miami in November. — Scott Dochterman
Round 3, Pick 4: Penn State RB Nick Singleton
If you believe Penn State could win the national title this year, then it makes sense to take a Nittany Lion — and Drew Allar was already taken. Singleton is a big-play guy that averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season and also scored five receiving touchdowns. Yes, he will be sharing carries with Kaytron Allen, but Singleton is the more consistent highlight producer. — Stewart Mandel
Round 3, Pick 5: Alabama QB Ty Simpson
People inside Alabama’s program have been high on Simpson for a long while, and he has been patient for his time. It’s here. He has an extremely talented O-line in front of him and one of the most dynamic wideouts in the nation in Ryan Williams. With offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb reuniting with Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide will put up points in bunches. — Bruce Feldman
Round 3, Pick 6: Utah QB Devon Dampier
Dampier was special at New Mexico last season, despite not having much around him. He followed offensive coordinator Jason Beck to Utah and will play behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines, as part of a proud program that should still be stout on defense and is modernizing its offense. It’s a steal to grab the quarterback of my pick to win the Big 12. — David Ubben
Round 3, Pick 7: Alabama WR Ryan Williams
Do we miss Nick Saban yet? It’s hard to believe it took until the late third round for an Alabama player to come off the board. I still would’ve taken Williams ahead of Simpson if both were available. In my eyes, there’s no guarantee Simpson will be the Tide’s quarterback by season’s end. But if Alabama is really good, Williams will play a huge role in it. Yes, he only had two 100-yard receiving games last year as a freshman, including the whopper against Georgia. But there’s too much upside to pass up this late in the draft. — Manny Navarro
Round 3, Pick 8: Oregon RB Makhi Hughes
A running back hasn’t won the Heisman since Derrick Henry in 2015, but we’ve had a handful of top-five finishes since then and two runners-up, including Ashton Jeanty last year. Hughes ran for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs at Tulane in 2024, and he joins an Oregon offense with a less-experienced quarterback in Dante Moore. If the Ducks thrive, Hughes could be the catalyst. — Justin Williams
Round 4, Pick 1: Clemson DE TJ Parker
I took the only defensive player in the draft. Travis Hunter won the award as a two-way standout, but Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr. finished in the top five in 2021, and Chase Young was top-five in 2019, so there is a precedent for edge rushers being in the mix. Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 and is projected as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Plus, he has a beast next to him in defensive tackle Peter Woods who should help clear some lanes to the quarterback and boost Parker’s stats. — Justin Williams
Round 4, Pick 2: Georgia RB Nate Frazier
I was torn whether to select Georgia’s quarterback or running back here – since no one had selected a player off the reigning SEC champions yet. I decided to go with Frazier because I think he’s the player with more pro potential and preseason hype. He also has no proven commodity in the backfield to share the ball with this year after Trevor Etienne left for the NFL. Feels like a quality darkhorse bet to me. — Manny Navarro
Round 4, Pick 3: Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons
Call it faith in Lane Kiffin. He won a national championship with Jake Coker. Simmons showed a ton of potential in relief of Jaxson Dart last year, and Ole Miss has never ranked lower than 32nd in yards per pass attempt under Kiffin. They’ve finished in the top 10 three times. Simmons has a lot to prove, but I could do worse with a fourth-round flyer. If the Rebels are in SEC contention, he’ll be in the mix. — David Ubben
Round 4, Pick 4: Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola
Raiola came in with a ton of hype as a true freshman and went through some expected growing pains, but I like the path he’s on. The Huskers added some much-needed help at wideout in the portal after having almost no speed on offense last year, and Raiola has had a full offseason to work with coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who pared down the playbook. Holgorsen knows how to exploit defenses and to put points on the board. — Bruce Feldman
Round 4, Pick 5: Duke QB Darian Mensah
I guess I’ve established a trend now by picking the guys with the biggest NIL deals. But I was extremely impressed with Mensah, then a redshirt freshman, when I watched Tulane’s near-upset of Kansas State in Week 2 last year and followed him from there. I’d be lying if I said I have a great grasp of Duke’s personnel, but Manny Diaz had a great first year. If Mensah is as advertised, he could bring a lot of attention to himself and the Blue Devils. — Stewart Mandel
Round 4, Pick 6: Iowa QB Mark Gronowski
Uh, oh, did Happy learn to putt? Iowa’s offense could turn a similar corner if Mark Gronowski replicates what he did at South Dakota State. Gronowski won the FCS player of the year award in 2023, when he led the Jackrabbits to their second consecutive national title. Gronowski has thrown for 10,309 passing yards and 93 touchdowns and rushed for 37 scores. If Gronowski ties in some numbers with victories against Oregon or Penn State, he’ll be in contention. — Scott Dochterman
Round 4, Pick 7: Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed
I would have felt like a hypocrite not taking Reed after writing about how he might be the most underappreciated quarterback in the SEC. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the other option. I’m surprised he went undrafted. — Ralph Russo
Round 4, Pick 8: SMU QB Kevin Jennings
Jennings emerged as a star last season, leading SMU to an undefeated ACC season and a CFP appearance. He’ll have a new collection of skill players around him, but Jennings will also enter his first season in full possession of the starting job. — Chris Vannini
(Illustration photos: Jacob Kupferman, Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)