Top 3 Big 12 Heisman Trophy contenders after 2024 media day ft. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

The Big 12 media day is in the rearview mirror as the focus now turns to the season, which begins in a month. The Big 12 will look different in 2024, with new teams like Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joining in.

Entering the 2024 season, the Big 12 doesn't have any player in the top five of Heisman odds, but three players are in the top 15 of the Heisman odds, according to DraftKings sportsbook.

Top 3 Big 12 Heisman Trophy Contenders

#1 Avery Johnson, Kansas State QB

Avery Johnson is a freshman and will be the starting quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Johnson went 37-for-66 for 479 yards for five touchdowns and zero interceptions last season. He is replacing Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State.

Johnson has the 10th-best odds of winning the Heisman at +2500, which implies a 3.8% chance of winning the award.

#2 Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes QB

Shedeur Sanders is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL draft and he's also one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Sanders is tied for the 13th-best odds of winning the Heisman Trophy at +3500, which implies a 2.8% chance of winning it all.

Sanders is coming off his first year at Colorado, where he went 298-for-430 for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions. The knock on Sanders' Heisman case will be Colorado's team, as the Buffaloes are expected to struggle again in 2024.

But if Sanders can get Colorado above .500 and even in contention for the Big 12, it would strengthen his Heisman case.

#3 Jalon Daniels, Kansas QB

Jalon Daniels, like Shedeur Sanders, is tied for 13th in Heisman odds at +3500, which implies a 2.8% chance of winning the entire trophy. Daniels is entering his fourth year at Kansas and is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. But the knock on Daniels has been his health, as he dealt with injuries for the majority of the 2023 season.

If Daniels can stay healthy and Kansas lives up to expectations by competing for the Big 12 championship, his Heisman odds will shoot up.