As we gear up for the college football season, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the Heisman Trophy race, with some fresh faces emerging as top contenders. Last year’s winner, Jayden Daniels, has moved on to the NFL as the No. 2 overall pick, while 2022 winner Caleb Williams was the No. 1 pick in the draft. This leaves the field wide open for a new star to claim the prestigious award this year.
A Wide-Open Heisman Race
At the moment, sportsbooks are signaling that there’s no clear-cut favorite, which makes for an intriguing and competitive race. It’s truly anyone’s game, and that opens up some interesting opportunities for bettors. I’ve got my eye on four players who offer particularly good value this season.
Top Heisman Contenders and Their Odds
Here are the current odds for the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award at a top sportsbook:
- DILLION GABRIEL, OREGON: +750
- CARSON BECK, GEORGIA: +800
- QUINN EWERS, TEXAS: +1000
- JAXON DART, OLE MISS: +1400
- JALEN MILROE, ALABAMA: +1400
- WILL HOWARD, OHIO STATE: +1500
Betting on Potential and Value
As you can see, there is no overwhelming favorite this year, but that just means there’s plenty of value to be found.
Starting with Dillon Gabriel, who transferred to Oregon after two solid years at Oklahoma, he’s positioned as the current favorite. Gabriel could make a strong case for the Heisman if he performs well and the Ducks have a successful season. With weapons like Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson, who form one of the best wide receiver tandems in college football, Gabriel’s chances look promising. If Oregon reaches the College Football Playoffs, his stock will only rise.
Carson Beck at Georgia also deserves a mention. He’s stepping into a high-powered offense and, if he can lead the Bulldogs to another successful season, his +800 odds could offer solid returns.
Quinn Ewers from Texas is another strong contender, but there are some concerns. Injuries and the presence of Arch Manning, who could step in if Ewers falters, make his +1000 odds a bit risky. Still, with standout receivers like Isaiah Bond and Silas Bolden, Ewers has the tools to make a serious Heisman run if he stays healthy.
I also like Jaxon Dart at Ole Miss, especially with the SEC more open this year due to Alabama’s coaching changes. Dart, with his impressive receiving corps, offers good value at +1400. If Ole Miss performs well, he could be in the mix for both the Heisman and a potential National Championship.
Finally, Will Howard at Ohio State is a dark horse worth considering. At +1500, Howard benefits from the arrival of Chip Kelly to run the Buckeyes’ offense, which could translate into big numbers for the quarterback. With standout targets like Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, Howard is well-positioned to have a breakout season. His past success at Kansas State, including a record 48 touchdown passes, shows he has the potential to lead Ohio State back to glory and possibly claim the Heisman in the process.
The Play: Howard’s Heisman Potential
Out of these options, my pick is Will Howard. I expect a big bounce-back season from Ohio State, especially with Kelly’s influence on the offense. Howard has the experience, the weapons, and the coaching to put up the kind of numbers that win Heisman Trophies. If he can carry over his success from Kansas State, where he set records and showed his playmaking ability, Howard could be a tremendous value play in this year’s Heisman race.
