The 2020 Heisman Trophy race won’t be the same with Power 5 conferences like the Big Ten and Pac-12 cancelling their seasons, but there are still plenty of studs primed to break out on the national stage.
The Heisman is definitely an offense dominated trophy as nine of the past 10 winners have been quarterbacks, and that’s what most people think it will be again this year. Let’s get started with the top five favorites, according to OddsShark, who can etch their name next to some of the all-time greats.
3: Myles Brennan, QB - LSU
I think this is the last position I’d want to be in making my college football starting debut. The first string quarterback for a perennial powerhouse and defending national champions under the absolute legend of Ed Orgeron in Death Valley, replacing a guy named Joe Burrow who just put up one of the best seasons in college football history. Sheesh. Obviously Brennan is talented, or else he wouldn’t be projected to finish this high at the end of the year, but… and I hate to say this… until he puts up big numbers and carries LSU to dominating wins himself, he’ll be known as Burrow’s replacement. But he will, and you’ll know the name Myles Brennan by the end of this season. I’m rooting for the guy, but it’s hard to bet on someone with no track record and a team coming back with a lot of new pieces in key positions.
Odds: +1400
3: D’Eriq King, QB - Miami
A question I’ll never get sick of asking every single year: Is the U back? It’s fun watching Miami be competitive. It makes me think of watching highlights from the early 2000’s teams that were absolutely stacked with future NFL stars and were just downright disrespectful on the field.. I’m not saying D’Eriq King is going to be the savior to all of Miami’s problems and bring them back to the top of the country, but getting the transfer from Houston is huge for the ‘Canes. During his junior year he was responsible for over 3,600 yards and 50 total touchdowns. He can do it with his arm or legs and is just a flashy guy when he has the ball in his hands. Team success definitely goes into consideration when picking the winner, so I think if Miami can compete with Clemson and the rest of the ACC, D’Eriq King could be a dark horse for this year’s Heisman winner.
Odds: +1400
3: Sam Ehlinger, QB - Texas
I don’t care who you root for, but college football is just better when Texas is good. Sam Ehlinger has done his part to keep the ‘Horns in national recognition. An 8-5 record isn’t great, but they’re heading into this season coming off two huge wins to end 2019. Ehlinger put up over 4,300 total yards of offense and accounted for 39 touchdowns last season. Now heading into his senior year, I think No. 11 is comfortable and is going to build off last year by putting up big numbers again. Hook ‘em.
Odds: +1400
2: Spencer Rattler, QB - Oklahoma
At this point it’s pretty much a rule of thumb that if you’re the starting quarterback for Lincoln Riley in Oklahoma, you’re going to be a Heisman finalist. After Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray took the award home back-to-back years, Jalen Hurts came in as a transfer senior and finished second in voting behind No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. Although he doesn’t have much tape to show for it, Rattler is a stud athlete who can do it all. When he was on Netflix’s original “QB1” he showed how dominant he was as a high school quarterback and loved to tell you about it. Rattler doesn’t lack confidence and embraces big moments. Add that with crazy playmaking ability, a great offensive scheme and a bunch of studs around you, it’s a hard recipe to beat. Although he’s a first year starter, Rattler is going to carry on the Sooner QB tradition and be at the top of this year’s race.
Odds: +900
1: Trevor Lawrence, QB - Clemson
This should come as no surprise as the Clemson standout enters his third year coming in with a 25-1 record since taking over as the starter in his freshman season. He looked so dominant over his first two seasons that plenty of NFL and college insiders said if he decided to opt out of this season, he’d still be a lock for the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. The 6-foot-6 stud with some of the best hair I’ve ever seen has put up 76 total touchdowns with only 12 interceptions and carried his team to a blowout national championship win over Nick Saban and Tua Tagovailoa…as a freshman. But Trevor Lawrence isn’t interested in sitting out a football season. He was one of the prominent college football players that made his voice heard addressing the NCAA that the players wanted to have a season. Example 52638 why this dude is a straight baller. He’s got all the skills and experience you could ask for in a college quarterback, and he’s the heavy favorite to win this year’s Heisman Trophy.
Odds: +200
Junior at Penn State University covering all things PSU Football, Men’s Basketball and the 2020 Heisman Trophy race. Die-hard Philly 4 for 4 fan. Go Birds and We Are.