We go into each college football season trying to figure out what teams are title contenders. We also like to predict which players will be in the running for the Heisman Trophy. Trying to figure out which player is going to emerge is no easy task.
The obvious thing we do is focus on the top players coming back. Especially those who received attention for the award the previous season. While it makes sense, these players typically don’t end up winning. Why? The expectations are going to be even higher now that we have seen them play. More times than not, it’s the player who comes out of nowhere that steals our attention.
We also like to look for players in elite programs who will be taking on a bigger role due to a player departing. For example, whoever is the starting running back for Alabama is going to get attention. It doesn’t matter if it’s a player coming back or freshmen who has never seen the field.
Why do we focus on elite programs? That’s because there is a bias here when it comes to the voting. Players who put up big numbers on bad teams don’t get near the love as a players with similar or worse numbers on a national contender. Even if the player on the crap team is the best player in the country, chances are he won’t win.
Even when we know what players to lock in on, we just never really know. The unpredictability is what makes this award so great.
2020 Heisman Favorite, Front Runners & Latest Candidates to Win Trophy
We have already broken down the early 2020-21 NCAAF Championship odds and now it’s time to take a look at the opening odds to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy.
There was really no debate with last year’s winner, as LSU’s Joe Burrow ran away with the award. Burrow didn’t even have odds at this time a year ago and was sitting at +5000 to win the award in early August. Burrow winning snapped Oklahoma’s run, as they had taken the hardware each of the previous two years.
The odds on favorite to win it right now is Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields at +250 with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence not too far back at +400.
Next up is former Houston quarterback D’Eriq King at +1000, who doesn’t even have a team at the moment as he just entered the transfer portal. Also at +1000 is expected new LSU quarterback Myles Brennan.
You then have Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler at +1200, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez at +1500, Georgia’s new quarterback Jamie Newman at +1600 (transfer from Wake Forest), Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger at +1600, Auburn quarterback at +2000 and USC quarterback Kedon Slovis at +2000.
Updated Vegas Betting Odds on Who Will Win Heisman Trophy This Year
Player | Current Odds | Implied Probability |
---|---|---|
Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State) | +205 | 32.79% |
Trevor Lawrence (QB Clemson) | +400 | 20.00% |
D’Eriq King (QB, TBD) | +1000 | 9.09% |
Myles Brennan (QB, LSU) | +1000 | 9.09% |
Spencer Rattler (QB, Oklahoma) | +1200 | 7.69% |
Adrian Martinez (QB, Nebraska) | +1500 | 6.25% |
Jamie Newman (QB, Georgia) | +1600 | 5.88% |
Sam Ehlinger (QB, Texas) | +1600 | 5.88% |
Bo Nix (QB, Auburn) | +2000 | 4.76% |
Kedon Slovis (QB, USC) | +2000 | 4.76% |
Mac Jones (QB, Alabama) | +2500 | 3.85% |
Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina) | +2500 | 3.85% |
Chuba Hubbard (RB, Oklahoma St) | +3300 | 2.94% |
Ian Book (QB, Notre Dame) | +3500 | 2.78% |
Kellen Mond (QB, Texas A&M) | +3500 | 2.78% |
K.J. Costello (QB, Stanford) | +4000 | 2.44% |
Kyle Trask (QB, Florida) | +5000 | 1.96% |
Micale Cunningham (QB, Louisville) | +5000 | 1.96% |
Najee Harris (RB, Alabama) | +5000 | 1.96% |
Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Memphis) | +6000 | 1.64% |
Rondale Moore (WR, Purdue) | +6000 | 1.64% |
Tanner Morgan (QB, Minnesota) | +8000 | 1.23% |
Player | 5-Dec | 20-Nov | 14-Nov | 7-Nov | 31-Oct | 24-Oct | 17-Oct | 10-Oct | 3-Oct | 26-Sep | 19-Sep | 12-Sep | 5-Sep | 19-Aug | 26-Jun | 8-Jan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Burrow (QB, LSU) | -3300 | -1200 | -950 | -110 | -110 | +125 | +260 | +325 | +400 | +300 | +450 | +750 | +2000 | +5000 | ||
Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State) | +1000 | +600 | +700 | +750 | +550 | +900 | +1000 | +1000 | +550 | +1000 | +1100 | +1300 | +1600 | |||
Chase Young (DE, Ohio State) | +2200 | +12500 | +950 | +800 | ||||||||||||
Jalen Hurts (QB, Oklahoma) | +2500 | +1100 | +700 | +250 | +250 | +190 | +300 | +325 | +225 | +350 | +300 | +600 | +900 | +1000 | +900 | +3000 |
Jonathan Taylor (RB, Wisconsin) | +7500 | +7000 | +5000 | +3500 | +1400 | +1100 | +900 | +950 | +1400 | +1200 | +1200 | +2800 | +3000 | +1700 | +900 | |
Trevor Lawrence (QB Clemson) | +10000 | +20000 | +15000 | +10000 | +9000 | +8000 | +5000 | +5000 | +1500 | +750 | +300 | +260 | +260 | +260 | +300 | |
Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) | +2000 | +375 | +400 | +400 | +115 | +120 | +225 | +275 | +275 | +400 | +270 | +260 | +260 | +350 | ||
J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio State) | +10000 | +8000 | +5000 | +8000 | +10000 | +10000 | +5000 | +5000 | +6000 | +8000 | +6000 | |||||
D’Andre Swift (RB, Georgia) | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +4500 | +4000 | +2500 | +3000 | +2500 | +1400 | +2500 | +1700 | +950 | ||
Jerry Jeudy (WR, Alabama) | +10000 | +25000 | +5000 | +6600 | +10000 | +12500 | +8000 | +3000 | +5000 | +5000 | +4000 | +6000 | +3500 | +1400 | ||
Justin Herbert (QB,Oregon) | +12500 | +10000 | +8000 | +6600 | +7500 | +10000 | +5000 | +3000 | +2500 | +2500 | +2800 | +1600 | +2200 | |||
Ian Book (QB, Notre Dame) | +15000 | +100000 | +25000 | +10000 | +15000 | +20000 | +15000 | +5000 | +10000 | +6600 | +5000 | +4000 | +3000 | |||
Shea Patterson (QB, Michigan) | +20000 | +12500 | +12500 | +15000 | +10000 | +30000 | +10000 | +6600 | +5000 | +2200 | +2500 | +2600 | +2000 | |||
Sam Ehlinger (QB, Texas) | +10000 | +6600 | +10000 | +4000 | +3000 | +2200 | +2500 | +2500 | +1800 | +1500 | +2000 | +1000 | ||||
Jake Fromm (QB, Georgia) | +12500 | +90000 | +7000 | +3000 | +2000 | +1600 | +1400 | +1600 | +1200 | +1400 | +1400 | +850 | ||||
Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson) | +15000 | +15000 | +9000 | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +5000 | +3000 | +2000 | +2500 | +3000 | +2000 | +950 | |||
Kelly Bryant (QB, Missouri) | +10000 | +10000 | +15000 | +10000 | +15000 | +12500 | +10000 | +5000 | +12500 | +7500 | +6500 | +4000 | ||||
Bo Nix (QB, Auburn) | +9000 | +10000 | +20000 | +12500 | +8000 | +10000 | +8000 | +6600 | ||||||||
A.J. Dillon (RB, Boston College) | +20000 | +20000 | +30000 | +20000 | +15000 | +8000 | +6600 | +10000 | +5000 | +7500 | +2000 | |||||
Kellen Mond (QB, Texas A&M) | +15000 | +20000 | +15000 | +6600 | +6600 | |||||||||||
Rondale Moore (WR, Purdue) | +20000 | +25000 | +10000 | +10000 | +8000 | +8000 | +6000 | +5000 | +2000 | |||||||
Adrian Martinez (QB, Nebraska) | +10000 | +10000 | +5000 | +5500 | +1300 | +1200 | +3000 | |||||||||
Eno Benjamin (RB, Arizona State) | +20000 | +10000 | +6000 | +10000 | +8000 | +6500 | +3000 | |||||||||
Austin Kendall (QB, Oklahoma) | +25000 | +10000 | +6000 | +7500 | +7500 | +3500 | +1400 | |||||||||
Najee Harris (RB, Alabama) | +25000 | +10000 | +6600 | +5000 | +3000 | +3000 | ||||||||||
Tee Higgins (WR, Clemson) | +6600 | +3000 | +6600 | +8000 | +3500 | |||||||||||
D’Eriq King (QB, Houston) | +10000 | +6600 | +5000 | +2500 | +6500 | +4000 | ||||||||||
K.J. Costello (QB, Stanford) | +10000 | +8000 | +8000 | +10000 | +6000 | +3000 | ||||||||||
Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR, Colorado | +10000 | +10000 | +20000 | +10000 | ||||||||||||
Khalil Tate (QB, Arizona) | +4000 | +6000 | +6500 | +4000 | ||||||||||||
Tylan Wallace (WR, Oklahoma State) | +20000 | +10000 | +8500 |
More College Football Futures & Odds
It’s no secret that the winner of the Heisman is often the best player on the best team in the country. Before placing any wagers on this future, check out our National Championship Odds.
Looking for more ways to bet on college football before the season starts? You are going to want to check out our regular-season win totals page.
Season already started? Build your bankroll with premium NCAAF picks from one of our expert handicappers. You are also going to want to visit our college football odds section. It’s the perfect place to stay up to date on the latest totals and spreads. Plus, you can shop lines from some of the top sportsbooks in the industry.
Heisman History – Invitees, Standings, Voting Polls & Past Champions
List of Finalists Invited to Heisman Ceremony in 2019
- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
- Jalen Hurts, QB Oklahoma
- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
- Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Voting Poll Standings Last 5 Years
Voting Rank | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | Joe Burrow (LSU) | Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) | Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) | Lamar Jackson (Louisville) | Derrick Henry (Alabama) |
2nd | Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) | Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) | Bryce Love (Stanford) | Deshaun Watson (Clemson) | Christian McCaffrey (Stanford) |
3rd | Justin Fields (Ohio State) | Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) | Lamar Jackson (Louisville) | Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) | Deshaun Watson (Clemson) |
4th | Chase Young (Ohio State) | Will Grier (West Virginia) | Saquon Barkley (Penn St) | Dede WestBrook (Oklahoma) | Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) |
5th | Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) | Gardner Minshew (Washington State) | Rashaad Penny (San Diego St) | Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) | Keenan Reynolds (Navy) |
Every Player Who has Won the Heisman Award
Year | Player | School |
---|---|---|
2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU |
2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma |
2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
2016 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville |
2015 | Derrick Henry | Alabama |
2014 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon |
2013 | Jameis Winston | Florida State |
2012 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M |
2011 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor |
2010 | Cam Newton | Auburn |
2009 | Mark Ingram | Alabama |
2008 | Sam Bradford | Oklahoma |
2007 | Tim Tebow | Florida |
2006 | Troy Smith | Ohio State |
2005 | Reggie Bush | USC |
2004 | Matt Leinart | USC |
2003 | Jason White | Oklahoma |
2002 | Carson Palmer | USC |
2001 | Eric Crouch | Nebraska |
2000 | Chris Weinke | Florida State |
1999 | Ron Dayne | Wisconsin |
1998 | Ricky Williams | Texas |
1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan |
1996 | Danny Wuerffel | Florida |
1995 | Eddie George | Ohio State |
1994 | Rashaan Salaam | Colorado |
1993 | Charlie Ward | Florida State |
1992 | Gino Torretta | Miami (FL) |
1991 | Desmond Howard | Michigan |
1990 | Ty Detmer | BYU |
1989 | Andre Ware | Houston |
1988 | Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State |
1987 | Tim Brown | Notre Dame |
1986 | Vinny Testaverde | Miami (FL) |
1985 | Bo Jackson | Auburn |
1984 | Doug Flutie | Boston College |
1983 | Mike Rozier | Nebraska |
1982 | Herschel Walker | Georgia |
1981 | Marcus Allen | USC |
1980 | George Rogers | South Carolina |
1979 | Charles White | USC |
1978 | Billy Sims | Oklahoma |
1977 | Earl Campbell | Texas |
1976 | Tony Dorsett | Pittsburgh |
1975 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State |
1974 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State |
1973 | John Cappelletti | Penn State |
1972 | Johnny Rodgers | Nebraska |
1971 | Pat Sullivan | Auburn |
1970 | Jim Plunkett | Stanford |
1969 | Steve Owens | Oklahoma |
1968 | O.J. Simpson | USC |
1967 | Gary Beban | UCLA |
1966 | Steve Spurrier | Florida |
1965 | Mike Garrett | USC |
1964 | John Huarte | Notre Dame |
1963 | Roger Staubach | Navy |
1962 | Terry Baker | Oregon State |
1961 | Ernie Davis | Syracuse |
1960 | Joe Bellino | Navy |
1959 | Billy Cannon | LSU |
1958 | Pete Dawkins | Army |
1957 | John David Crow | Texas A&M |
1956 | Paul Hornung | Notre Dame |
1955 | Howard Cassady | Ohio State |
1954 | Alan Ameche | Wisconsin |
1953 | John Lattner | Notre Dame |
1952 | Billy Vessels | Oklahoma |
1951 | Dick Kazmaier | Princeton |
1950 | Vic Janowicz | Ohio State |
1949 | Leon Hart | Notre Dame |
1948 | Doak Walker | SMU |
1947 | John Lujack | Notre Dame |
1946 | Glenn Davis | Army |
1945 | Doc Blanchard | Army |
1944 | Les Horvath | Ohio State |
1943 | Angelo Bertelli | Notre Dame |
1942 | Frank Sinkwich | Georgia |
1941 | Bruce Smith | Minnesota |
1940 | Tom Harmon | Michigan |
1939 | Nile Kinnick | Iowa |
1938 | Davey O’Brien | TCU |
1937 | Clint Frank | Yale |
1936 | Larry Kelley | Yale |
1935 | Jay Berwanger | Chicago |