For the most part, the movement has stalled. The lists as they stand now are largely the ones that will be on the floor in the fall.
Of course, there will be exceptions. College football is never absolutely idle in those days. The recruitment cycle still has many stages and the portal is closed. But the snapshot as it stands now is almost completely formed.
Which means it’s time to bet on the Heisman. The odds of finding out who will win next season’s prize are known and we are in a position to jump. Even though we’re out of season, Locks of the Week never sleeps.
If you love quarterbacks, and the Heisman still loves quarterbacks, it’s like this is the year. Although it has the annual ritual, the QBs who return once they return dominate among the expected contenders.
As for names we have our eyes on, well, let’s get to that. To keep things interesting, we’re targeting a slew of players with varying odds. (Picking just one would be boring.)
To be clear, picks can be replaced before the season starts. We’ll return to this verbal replacement in August, but it’s never too early to jump in next year.
For the latest spreads and long-term bets, head over to DraftKings.
Quinn Ewers, Texas (900)
The skill is obviously there. Let’s start with that.
Quinn Ewers stepped up last season, led his team to the school football playoffs and gained big advantages from some other offseason under Steve Sarkisian. His decision to return was brilliant for all parties involved.
However, Ewers’ argument for the Heisman goes beyond himself.
The offensive line will once again be one of the best in the country, and Sarkissian has absolutely recharged his offense after a series of key starts. In particular, the additions of players Silas Bolden, Isaiah Bond, and Matthew Golden have been huge. the addition of former Alabama tight end Amari Niblack.
Offensively, the nation’s 15th offense a season ago missed a beat. In fact, it has room for improvement.
All of this should benefit Ewers, who will lead Texas’ debut voyage into the SEC. The schedule, while not easy, could be worse.
Texas will play Michigan at Ann Arbor early on. Georgia is also on tap, although that game will be played at home. There are plenty of landmines to account for, but the talent on this team is growing.
As we know, victories count. The helmet counts. Statistics matter.
All of these factors are working in Ewers’ favor, who is currently the co-favorite to win the award with Georgia QB Carson Beck.
There’s a lot to like about the team and this particular player, even if the price is great.
Cameron District, Miami (2500)
If you watched Miami play last year, you may wonder what exactly is going on.
This is a moderate response in many ways. The game was inconsistent, the coach’s decisions were confusing, and the overall functionality of the Hurricanes was unacceptable. This team started off pretty well. Then it collapsed.
That said, it’s an intriguing marriage. After opting for the NFL, Ward finally turned his attention to the Hurricanes. To say it was a critical moment for head coach Mario Cristobal would be an understatement.
Ward is a qualified point owner. In 2023, he completed 33 total touchdowns. His 3,736 passing yards rank fourth nationally.
Although Washington state couldn’t hold its own after a good start, it has become one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country, albeit at a convention where quarterbacks play outstandingly.
In Miami, he’s a star. Here, there won’t be any background steps. And the most intriguing aspect of a possible attempt at Heisman, beyond his capabilities, is this timing.
The rest of the ACC roster is largely manageable. Miami plays Florida State at home and will be a very different team. The most challenging road on the calendar is Louisville.
Simply put, this one has fascinating potential. Miami’s roster has quietly gotten better, and Ward should be better for it.
Even if other people are down about the Hurricanes, it’s something to keep an eye on. The path is there for many victories, as is the talent.
Brady Cook (3500)
You take one quarterback and go back to the SEC.
Missouri, the 2023 school football favorite, won 11 games and was incredibly competitive in any of its losses. And while this team will certainly lose some pieces, the two most vital ingredients are returning.
Brady Cook is one of those pieces and his favorite target, Luther Burden III, will also be returning.
Burden could be the most productive high school football player next year, and Cook will be able to feed him time and time again.
Last year, the quarterback threw for 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. The numbers weren’t dazzling, but the production had an impact. And with ultra-productive running back Cody Schrader leaving for the NFL, Cook will be asked to do more.
For Cook to be involved in the Heisman discussion, he will have to do more when called upon. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him re-emerge as a major risk running the ball, which he did in several events. by the end of the year.
There’s no doubt his team will depend on him for more yards and touchdowns. How you react will likely dictate the direction things take.
If Mizzou can get close to a second season, he’ll be in the Heisman mix. An opposite game to Oklahoma and trips to Alabama and Texas A.
Cook’s prospects are off the charts, as are Missouri’s prospects of becoming a disruptive force within the SEC again. If those two things happen, the quarterback of one of the school football systems deserves to be in the mix.