2026 NFL Draft Prospects Who Should Be Favored to Win the 2025 Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Trophy is equivalent to the NFL's MVP award and is typically awarded to the best quarterback, running back and/or wide receiver in the nation.
However, reigning Heisman winner Travis Hunter was a special case for doing what most believed would be almost impossible by playing both offense and defense full-time. Former Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson was also an anomaly on defense with his 1997 win.
Heading into the 2025 college football season, there are numerous 2026 NFL draft prospects who could raise the prestigious trophy at the end of next season.
Let's take a look at a few names to watch out for as Heisman candidates.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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The last time a wide receiver won the Heisman Trophy was in 2020, when DeVonta Smith picked up the award following a historic receiving statistical season with Alabama.
Technically, Travis Hunter is a wide receiver, but he won the honor because of his full-time contributions on both sides of the ball, rather than solely based on receiving production and impact.
So, for star Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson to be considered for the Heisman, he will need to have an elite receiving season. But he has the skill set to get the job done.
Last season, he ranked 16th nationally in receiving. He put together impressive numbers as a first-year starter reeling in 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. To put this into context, he ranked 27th in receptions last season and missed the Sun Devils' playoff games versus Texas.
Tyson enters the 2025 college football season as his team's best offensive weapon.
Running back Cam Skattebo was the engine for Arizona State last year, but Tyson is now in a position where he should be heavily peppered with targets from quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Last year, Tyson was the only receiving option to eclipse 60 targets on the season. The Sun Devils offense ran the ball more with the impact of Skattebo and Leavitt's athleticism in the backfield. This time could be different.
Tyson is a versatile alignment weapon who plays the outside and slot receiver positions, and his targets should increase with NFL departures. If so, he can produce at a higher level while helping drive his team back to the Big 12 Championship Game.
Will it be an uphill climb for the 20-year-old to win the Heisman Trophy? Absolutely, but it is not impossible.
You heard it here: Tyson is one of the best receivers in the nation and a potential top-15 pick in the 2026 draft. Leavitt's top receiver is due for a huge season in 2025, which will place him at the top of award lists.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
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Garrett Nussmeier enters the 2025 college football season with a lot riding on his performance.
Some view him as the top quarterback prospect along with Cade Klubnik and Arch Manning, and he is coming off a good overall season in 2024 in which threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The LSU signal-caller excels as a pure pocket passer, relying on anticipation, accuracy and precise ball placement. These traits easily translate to the NFL and align with the West Coast-styled offenses prevalent in the league.
The Tigers have the supporting cast at wide receiver and running back to help propel Nussmeier to greater heights in 2025. But the offensive line lost two starters to the draft, leaving this group as a potential Achilles' heel.
If protected, the 23-year-old can wreak havoc on defenses at all three levels with new transfer receivers Barion Brown and Nic Anderson.
Nussmeier's schedule has multiple games with potential Heisman moments. LSU opens the season on the road at night against a loaded Clemson team.
The Tigers have some stiff road tests against Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. They host a South Carolina team that pushed them to brink last season, a game where his tendency to put the ball in harm's way was very visible.
Nussmeier has the passing talent to be the best quarterback in the nation. If he reduces turnover-worthy plays and takes more calculated risks, LSU will be difficult to stop and defeat. And this could lead to a potential SEC Championship Game appearance, the College Football Playoffs and a possible Heisman.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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Jeremiyah Love is the consensus favorite for RB1 of the 2026 draft heading into the new college football season.
We have seen multiple running backs win the Heisman Trophy: From Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry to Reggie Bush and Ron Dayne. Like wide receiver, though, it does take a special season to usurp quarterbacks for the prestigious award.
Love was impressive last season for Notre Dame. He accounted for 1,362 total yards and 19 total touchdowns from scrimmage on 191 touches. He did not have the use of an Ashton Jeanty, for example, but his effectiveness was outstanding.
Love brings the acceleration and top-end speed to generate explosive plays as a runner and receiver.
Last season, the 20-year-old shared the backfield with Riley Leonard, who rushed for over 900 yards and 17 touchdowns. Now, former four-star recruit CJ Carr takes over as the Fighting Irish's new signal-caller, bringing more of a pure passer archetype to the offense.
Love should be the engine of Notre Dame's offense, and with more volume and a traditional passing attack, his production should skyrocket. He averaged seven yards per carry and over eight yards per reception last season.
Love is the catalyst to Fighting Irish success offensively, and at a blue-blood program, the hype will become louder as he continues to produce.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
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LaNorris Sellers is the biggest X-factor at the quarterback position in college football. The physical tools are excellent, combining high-octane arm talent, explosive and physical rushing ability and an NFL build.
Sellers completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 674 rushing yards and seven more touchdowns. He is the dynamic dual-threat QB who can instantly change the momentum of a game.
However, the South Carolina Gamecocks will run a gauntlet in the SEC this season. With matchups against Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, LSU and Texas A&M, not to forget their yearly battle with Clemson at the end of the season.
Sellers will have plenty of chances to take over contests and make game-changing plays. If his pocket passing ability continues to develop throughout the season, he will be a difficult quarterback to defend against.
With the Gamecocks' backloaded schedule, Sellers will be in the spotlight against legitimate opponents. If he leads his team to more wins than losses while maintaining position for a playoff berth, his name will be on ballots for the Heisman.
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
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To create Heisman moments, a player needs to be in front of big crowds, typically. Playing for a blue-blood program helps that a long way.
Cade Klubnik will lead a Clemson team filled with NFL talent at every position into the season with hopes of winning the ACC and securing a spot in the CFP for a second consecutive year.
In 2024, he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions with a completion percentage of 63.4 percent. He took a massive step forward from his first year as a starter.
This summer, the 21-year-old is a favorite among the draft community and scouts. Praised for his leadership both on and off the field, he epitomizes a strong work ethic. This, combined with his plus-level athleticism, NFL arm talent and pocket-winning upside, he is in the conversation for top QB in the draft.
He is entering his third season as a starter, and expectations are high. Clemson has the roster to compete with the nation's best teams. Klubnik has a chance to create a ton of momentum toward a Heisman campaign by starting the season off hot with a win and great performance against Garrett Nussmeier and LSU. The last time Clemson faced an SEC team to open the season, it didn't end well.
If Klubnik takes his game to the next level with another leap forward, the Tigers will be playing well into the new year. He will need to be the catalyst and show up in big-time games and moments to stamp himself as an unquestioned Heisman favorite.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
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The Manning legacy continues in 2025 as Arch Manning takes over the starting quarterback position for the Texas Longhorns. In 2024, he filled in for Quinn Ewers when he was dealing with an injury, along with spot duty to bring some "juice" to the offense.
The 21-year-old finished his sophomore season completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine passing touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, he added 108 yards on 25 carries with four touchdowns.
The positive flashes proved why Manning is a former 5-star and number one recruit in the nation. His athletic ability and arm talent are levels above what Quinn Ewers possessed and offer more to the Longhorns offense.
Manning will have all eyes on him this season, as most in the draft community are praying he breaks off and enters the 2026 draft.
With the spotlight comes potential for postseason awards and Manning will be a favorite among fans and media as a Heisman finalist. Heck, SEC homer Paul Finebaum is already piling pressure on him with this ridiculous take.
Winning the Heisman Trophy requires players to show up in the biggest moments during the college football season.
Heading into his first year as a starter, Manning will be tested. He goes from the backup to the quarterback defenses prepare for every week. Texas' schedule will provide him with enough potential moments to prove he's worth the hype and impress the Heisman voters. Texas opens with a huge matchup against Ohio State. In addition, it will face Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas A&M.
Manning's most fruitful opportunities to create Heisman moments will be against Ohio State and Georgia. If he handles business against the lesser team and shines against the best competition, he will secure his seat in New York, maybe even as the trophy winner.
