ESPN ranks Top 10 Heisman Trophy Contenders for 2025 college football season

With the college football world in the midst of its Summer offseason, ESPN took the opportunity to embrace Ranking Season. As part of its 2025 season lookahead to mark 100 days until the official kickoff of the season on Aug. 23, ESPN unveiled a litany of Top 10 rankings of everything from best games to watch and top freshmen.

ESPN also took its shot at predicting the Top 10 candidates to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy next season, with a particular focus on the quarterback position. But while much of the college football world is anxiously awaiting the debut of the Arch Manning Era at Texas, including ESPN, the Worldwide Leader actually has its collective eyes on another former five-star QB that could be primed for a true breakout season in his third as Clemson‘s starter — Cade Klubnik.

Of course, ESPN managed to sprinkle in a couple of non-QBs as well, with sensational sophomore receivers Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State and Ryan Williams of Alabama also cracking the Top 10 list.

Check out ESPN’s Top 10 2025 Heisman Trophy contenders below:

1. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

Klubnik enters his third and final season as the Tigers’ QB1 poised to further supplant himself atop Clemson’s all-time quarterback list already in the Top 5 of nearly every program passing record.

Klubnik ranked Top 10 nationally with 3,639 yards on 63.4-percent passing and was second in the ACC with 36 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2024.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle is finally getting his opportunity to start after two seasons of backing up Quinn Ewers in Austin.

Despite just two spot-starts in 2024 and 63 career passes, Manning enters 2025 with sky-high hype and is already the betting favorite to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy according to FanDuel’s latest odds.

3. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

The dynamic Buckeyes wideout was a revelation in 2024, arguably exceeding the preseason hype as the top-ranked receiver in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

The 19-year-old Smith is coming off a rookie campaign in which he led the Big Ten with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 receptions in 2024, but will break in a new Ohio State QB1 in 2025.

4. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

The NFL legacy made the most of his opportunity as the Tigers’ QB1 following three seasons as a backup in Baton Rouge. He finished second in the SEC with 4,052 yards on 64.2-percent passing and 29 touchdowns in 2024.

If he cuts back on his SEC-worst 12 interceptions last season, Nussmeier has the talent for a special season and may make his Heisman Trophy case as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

5. DJ Lagway, QB, Florida

The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, Lagway was another star prospect that more than lived up to the hype as a rookie while helping embattled Gators coach Billy Napier keep his job.

Despite missing Spring while rehabbing multiple injuries, Lagway is primed for a breakout 2025 season after leading Florida to a 6-1 in his seven last-season starts with 12 touchdowns in 2024.

6. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Nittany Lions QB bypassed the 2025 NFL Draft to run it back in Happy Valley after throwing for 3,327 yards on 66.5-percent passing and 24 touchdowns to 8 interceptions in 2024.

If Allar can continue his steady progress and take another step forward in 2025, he’ll be undoubtedly be in the Heisman Trophy race, as well as in the mix to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

7. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

The physically-gifted 6-foot-3, 245-pound Sellers combined for 2,929 yards of total offense and 24 total touchdowns while leading the Gamecocks to an impressive 8-3 record in his first season as QB1.

Should Sellers show improvement as a passer, after throwing 2,274 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024, Carolina’s dual-threat star will be in the Heisman mix with a potential Playoff bid on the line in 2025.

8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

One of just three non-QBs in ESPN’s list, Love has the talent to make Heisman voters think twice about leaving him off their ballot after leading the Irish with 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.

With Notre Dame breaking in redshirt freshman CJ Carr at QB, Love will be counted on to help carry the offensive load as the Fighting Irish attempt to return to the CFP National Championship game in 2025.

9. John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

The former Washington State transfer was the Sooners’ prized portal addition this offseason after throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns on 64.6-percent passing in 2024.

With some better protection in 2025, Mateer could be primed to follow in Cam Ward‘s steps as a Wazzu transfer and cement his place as a Heisman contender and potential No. 1 overall pick next year.

10. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

Much like Smith, Williams more than lived up to the hype as the second-ranked receiver in the 2024 cycle, leading the Crimson Tide with 865 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns as a true freshman.

Depending on who wins Alabama’s QB1 battle this offseason, Williams has the big-play ability to help reestablish the Tide as a true national contender and make his Heisman Trophy case in the process.