The 2025 Heisman Trophy race is still over a year away, yet college football pundits and fans are already rushing to crown the next winner. While it’s fun to speculate about potential future stars, many of these early predictions are more about hype than reality. The fact is, it’s far too soon to know which players will rise to the occasion and claim college football’s highest individual honor. That doesn’t stop media outlets from listing their favorites, often based on little more than a great season the previous year or sheer potential. Let’s take a look at some of the early names getting too much attention for the 2025 Heisman.
One name frequently thrown into the mix is USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The 2024 Heisman winner is being touted as a future lock for the 2025 award, despite the fact that a lot can change in a year. Williams is undoubtedly talented, but his status as an early favorite is driven more by his high profile and elite production than by any certainty that he’ll continue to shine in a rapidly changing college football landscape. Injuries, roster changes, and unexpected competition could derail his seemingly inevitable path to the Heisman podium.
Similarly, Arch Manning, the highly touted quarterback from Texas, is another name that keeps popping up on early 2025 lists. Sure, he comes from football royalty, but his limited playing time so far raises significant questions. Just because a player has a famous last name doesn’t mean they’re automatically destined for greatness. Manning may eventually become a star, but counting him out as a Heisman favorite right now is premature at best.
Then there’s Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who has earned a ton of buzz after dominating as a wide receiver. While he’s undoubtedly talented, it’s hard to imagine a wide receiver winning the Heisman in this era of quarterback dominance. Despite his skill set, Harrison’s odds of winning the award remain slim compared to a QB’s, especially since wide receivers often need historic seasons to even be considered.
While it’s fun to get excited about the potential for these players, remember: the Heisman race is unpredictable, and predicting who will be a contender a year and a half out is about as accurate as guessing lottery numbers. The true Heisman favorites won’t reveal themselves until we see how the 2024 season unfolds and which players are able to seize the spotlight under pressure. Until then, the early predictions are just that: overly hyped guesses, designed to keep fans engaged while offering little in terms of actual substance.
