B/R's 2025 Heisman Trophy Rankings After Week 2

Two weeks into the 2025 college football season, and there's a new front-runner in the Heisman Trophy race.

John Mateer, who transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma, has charged atop the early discussion. He set a program record in Week 1, then guided the Sooners to a Top 25 victory over Michigan on Saturday night.

Now, the simple question: How long will he stay there?

Competition levels will steadily rise as conference action picks up around the country in Week 3. Marquee games and moments will begin to shuffle the rankings as preseason expectations drift into the past.

The following ranking is subjective—and still very subject to change—and based on historical voting trends, such as individual production and team success.

On the Radar

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Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Following the season-opening loss at Miami, Notre Dame had an idle Saturday. One quiet game—59 total yards in Week 1—should not remove Jeremiyah Love from the radar, although it would benefit him greatly to assemble a quality day against a quality Texas A&M defense.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

That is more like it. Jeremiah Smith notched six catches for 43 yards in the victory over Texas, but he dominated lower-division Grambling. He turned five catches into 119 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio is next for the Buckeyes.

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

In a quieter day than anticipated, Drew Allar hit 19-of-33 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns as Penn State blanked FIU 34-0. So, not overwhelming, but solid. Another rout is likely inbound with PSU hosting lower-division Villanova.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Arch Manning bounced back after an ugly season debut to pick apart an overmatched San Jose State defense. He threw for 295 yards and four scores with one interception, adding a fifth touchdown on the ground. Manning, who says he's not injured, leads the Longhorns into a game against UTEP in Week 3.

Devon Dampier, QB, Utah

Two games, two three-touchdown performances. Devon Dampier has sparked the Utah offense, propelling the Utes to comfortable wins opposite UCLA and Cal Poly. Utah travels to Wyoming this weekend.

5. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

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South Carolina dealt with a terribly slow start against South Carolina State, eventually pulling away from the FCS opponent. LaNorris Sellers only totaled 151 yards and a touchdown in the 38-10 victory.

Nevertheless, the dual-threat QB remains on the list because of that early win over Virginia Tech where he threw a key, late touchdown.

It's a tenuous spot, to be sure, and the upcoming SEC slate—Vanderbilt, at Missouri and Kentucky—will be more impactful in settling his place.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

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Senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw a decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead LSU past Clemson in the opener.

However, the Tigers' offense struggled in a 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech, marked by inefficient drives and missed opportunities.

Nussmeier found his target on 26-of-41 throws for 237 yards—just 5.8 per attempt—tossing one touchdown and one interception.

We'll have a better understanding of his early candidacy after LSU hosts Florida this weekend.

3. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

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Montana State is a lower-division team, and Oklahoma State has drifted into a shell of its former self.

Also, hey, Dante Moore has been awesome.

The former UCLA starter went 18-of-23 for 213 yards and three touchdowns during the opener, then 16-of-21 with 266 yards and three scores in Week 2. He hasn't yet attempted a pass in the fourth quarter, either.

Oregon, which quietly jumped to fourth in the AP Top 25, opens Big Ten action with a trip to Northwestern this weekend.

2. Carson Beck, QB, Miami

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Are you jumping aboard the Carson Beck bandwagon?

I've said it before and continually will: Beating up overmatched teams does not win a Heisman, but taking advantage of stat-padding games is essential in building an impressive year-end stat line.

Beck did exactly that in Week 2 as Miami crushed FCS school Bethune-Cookman, completing 22-of-24 passes for 267 yards and two scores. Add those numbers to his strong Week 1 performance in a Top 10 triumph over Notre Dame.

South Florida awaits on Saturday, and Florida looms for the 'Canes in Week 4. There is a long season ahead.

So far, though, Beck has made an excellent impression.

1. John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

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Oklahoma has rocketed itself back to the national scene for several reasons, but John Mateer is the biggest one.

During his debut, he set a record with 392 passing yards—the most in OU history for an opening game—and totaled four scores. Then, he threw for 270, rushed for 74 and accounted for three touchdowns in a win over Michigan.

The hype train has officially hit a new level.

On the horizon, a truly nightmarish SEC schedule looms for Mateer and OU. But first, the Sooners head to Temple.