The Heisman trophy is an award given to the best player in college football. In the past, it has been a quarterback friendly award, excluding last year when Colorado two way star Travis Hunter brought home the award.
Everyone has their popular favorites for the 2025 Heisman winner such as Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.
But let’s take a look at some of the players who are under the radar who could bring home the 2025 Heisman trophy.
Number 1: Jeremiah Smith
Now I know many of you are thinking “he’s totally a favorite” but since 2010, 12 of the 15 Heisman winners have been quarterbacks. Smith will be coming off of a season where he was arguably the best player on Ohio State’s offense and the best Freshman wide receiver in the country as he had 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions. Hoping there won’t be a Sophomore Slump, he’ll be looking to build on his phenomenal Freshman season.
Number 2: John Mateer
Transferring in from Washington State, John Mateer has found himself as Oklahoma’s new potential starting quarterback. Oklahoma was on their second string quarterback and had their 9th string receiver starting as their 2024 season was derailed with injuries. All of those injured receivers are returning for this 2025 season, and with a quarterback like Mateer, I’m sure they’re itching to play. Mateer passed for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns during the 2024 season. He’s a dual threat quarterback who rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Had he not been in the “Pac 12” there’s no doubt in my mind that he would have been in Heisman talks for the 2024 season.
Number 3: Avery Johnson
In the 2024 season, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 2,712 yards and 25 passing touchdowns to go along with 605 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. He led the Wildcats to a 9-4 record with a win over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl. The Big 12 has been increasing its competition with the addition of many teams from the Pac 12 and seven teams finishing ahead of them in conference play, despite having a better record than some of those teams. Johnson will be one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12 this year and he will hope to use that experience to carry his team to the playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza transferred from California to Indiana during the transfer portal window after the 2024 season. In two seasons at California, he amassed 4,712 passing yards with 30 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions. I believe that he has the factor to help Indiana truly show that they are who they say they are. Indiana is miles ahead of California off of head coaching alone, but I believe that Mendoza has the ability to be better than Indiana’s quarterback last season. With the right coaching, he’ll be sitting at the top of the Big 10 conference.
