Overview

• USA TODAY and Bleacher Report position quarterbacks as the primary contenders, with Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith highlighted as the leading non-quarterback threat.
• USA TODAY identifies Manning as the early favorite at Texas, while Bleacher Report ranks Clemson’s Klubnik No. 1 entering the season.
• LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier returns as the only 4,000-yard passer from 2024 and is projected to produce at a Heisman-caliber level.
• Penn State’s Drew Allar, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers appear prominently in both outlets’ early lists.
• With all top-10 finishers from 2024 now in the NFL, analysts note that team success and marquee-game moments will determine who separates in the race.