Amid doubts over Quinn Ewers’ future, Arch Manning takes lead for Heisman Trophy 2025

The 2024 Heisman Trophy was awarded on Saturday to No. 23-ranked Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter. With the most prestigious trophy in college football awarded, fans and analysts have started to look ahead to the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

Predicting awards in college football is challenging because players can have big breakout seasons all the time. Since players are so young, it is hard to guess who the best players will be before the season. However, that does not stop fans and pundits from making their predictions.

Texas always produces elite players, and that is not expected to be any different next season. This season, it had two elite quarterbacks, Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Ewers was the starter, but there is a high chance he will declare for the 2025 NFL draft.

If Ewers moves on to the NFL next season, Manning will have a wide-open opportunity to take the starting job on one of the best teams in the nation. Manning showed he was capable of playing at an elite level in limited playing time this season, so some pundits are projecting that he is an early Heisman contender.

How likely is it for Arch Manning to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy?

Although no one can be considered a true favorite this far away from voting, preliminary odds for the 2025 Heisman Trophy have been put out by Bet Online. Arch Manning is the early betting favorite. These are the top nine betting favorites according to Bet Online:

• Arch Manning +600
• Garrett Nussmeier +700
• John Mateer +800
• Drew Allar +900
• Nico Iamaleava +1000
• Cade Klubnik +1100
• Kevin Jennings +1200
• Lanorris Sellers +1200
• DJ Lagway +1400

Manning will have some advantages heading into next season as a possible starter for the Longhorns. Further, he is a quarterback, and the Heisman typically goes to one despite Hunter winning this season.

Additionally, Manning plays for a high-profile team in the SEC, the Texas Longhorns. Although voters are supposed to vote without bias, media attention often plays a factor. Teams that get many eyes on them are more likely to have players in award conversations.

Lastly, Manning is already someone that people are familiar with. Not only did he make headlines for his play this season, but he has a famous last name. He is the nephew of former NFL star quarterback Peyton and Eli Manning.