B/R's 2025 Heisman Trophy Rankings after Week 10
For the first time in about a month of action, the 2025 Heisman Trophy race has undergone a significant change up top.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin officially is a front-runner.
Sayin has joined Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, a fellow Big Ten signal-caller, and Alabama's Ty Simpson atop the chase. Not coincidentally, they're all leading some of the most respected teams in the country.
Amid the shakeup, we've reached a landmark: Only five weekends are left before the Heisman winner is crowned. We're almost at make-or-break time.
The tiers are subjective, yet based on historical voting trends, including individual production and team success.
Tier 4: They're in the Neighborhood
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Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
The good news is Haynes King passed for 408 yards, rushed for 103 and totaled four touchdowns. The bad news is Georgia Tech endured its first loss of the campaign, falling to North Carolina State 48-36. He's still in the picture, but it'll probably take a perfect finish—which requires a win over Georgia and in the ACC Championship Game—for King to have a legitimate chance.
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
After a quiet performance in a victory over USC, CJ Carr rebounded with 311 total yards and two touchdowns at Boston College. The main problem for his candidacy is he lacks a true Heisman moment, and the remaining schedule of Navy, Pitt, Syracuse and Stanford likely won't provide it.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Dante Moore, meanwhile, has a November filled with opportunities. Oregon, which was idle in Week 10, travels to 6-2 Iowa on Saturday with ranked teams USC and Washington looming on the slate. Iowa has yielded 5.6 yards per attempt and four touchdowns to nine interceptions, so Moore will be tested in a big way.
Tier 3: They Have Our Attention
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Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Boston College hung around a bit longer than anticipated, partly because it limited Jeremiyah Love's impact early on. However, he scored on a short run in the third quarter and ripped off a 94-yard touchdown to seal ND's 25-10 win. Love tallied 166 scrimmage yards as the Irish improved to 6-2. Navy is up next.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Shoutout to Carnell Tate, who is 14 yards and a few touchdowns behind Jeremiah Smith this season. Pretty special duo in Columbus. Nevertheless, The Smith Show raged on during a 38-14 smackdown of Penn State. He reeled in six catches for 123 yards and two scores, including one highlight-reel fortunate bounce. Ohio State travels to Purdue in Week 11.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
The hype train slowed in a loss at Texas, but a second-half surge allowed Diego Pavia to stuff the box score anyway. He passed for 365 yards and three touchdowns, adding 43 yards and a score on the ground. The context of his situation—being the catalyst at a traditional SEC doormat—is a big advantage. But he needs a bounce-back day against Auburn to keep flirting with a finalist spot.
Tier 2: Top Challengers
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Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
In a tight win over rival Florida, Gunner Stockton totaled 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He's a shade past 2,000 offensive yards with 19 scores for the season—more "good" than "great" statistically. UGA's 7-1 record keeps Stockton in the hunt. Upcoming games against Texas, Georgia Tech, and a possible SEC title appearance could further strengthen his case. This week, the Dawgs play at Mississippi State.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
If you prefer a Tier 3 place for Trinidad Chambliss, I wouldn't argue. He's on the fringe here. He tallied a modest 218 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over South Carolina. That alone isn't enough for a jump, but Ole Miss is 8-1 and seems destined for the College Football Playoff. Chambliss will stick in the conversation if Ole Miss closes the regular season at 11-1.
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
Marcel Reed is the closest name to the front-running group anyway, and November brings more opportunities. Texas A&M heads to Missouri, then hosts South Carolina and Samford before playing at rival Texas. Reed's production is a little shy of elite, but a couple of Top 25 clashes—with the reward of a trip to the SEC Championship Game at stake—give him prime chances for a Heisman moment.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Tier 1: The Front-Runners
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Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Following an idle weekend, Simpson is preparing for a showdown with rival LSU. Will the coaching change lead to a spark for LSU, which played extremely well on defense before its two recent losses? Simpson, who's thrown multiple touchdowns in all eight games so far, must be ready for an inspired effort from the Tigers.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Two straight games with no more than 225 offensive yards? Unacceptable. Mendoza has to get this figured out. In seriousness, his Heisman case would benefit from another big performance—and Penn State just surrendered a huge box score to the QB listed below. Still, there's no question Mendoza is a high-end contender as he leads 9-0 IU into Happy Valley this weekend.
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Sayin had a near-perfect afternoon at Penn State, completing 20-of-23 passes for 316 yards and four scores. He's the FBS leader with an absurd 80.7 completion rate, second at 10.0 yards per attempt and third with 23 touchdown passes. He should continue padding his résumé in a trip to Purdue on Saturday.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
